SCRIPTURE FOR EVERYDAY LIFE
                         5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Job 7:1-4,6-7
     This Sunday's first reading speaks of hope.  Job feels crushed by the situation of his life.  He cries out, "I shall not see happiness again."  In this story, Job was blessed with family, wealth and good fortune.  But misfortune strikes him.  He loses his wealth, his family and his health.  Job is so disheartened; he has done nothing wrong.  He is innocent of any wrongdoing and wonders why he is suffering.
    His friends offer help in finding out why God has permitted a good man to suffer.  He must have sinned, his friends suggest.  Job responds that he has not sinned.  Then Job proceeds to bemoan the harshness of life.  He uses images to characterize it; life is like the military service-hard and demanding, and a threat to one's well-being; life is like a slave's life-futile, despicable and full of drudgery.  His nights are sleepless and filled with sorrow.  The night drags on, while he tosses and turns in pain.  There is nowhere for him to turn, as the circumstances of his life are beyond his control.  Job longs for the day when his eyes would close in death and bring an end to his suffering.
    Throughout this story, Job never blames God and never states that he has lost his faith.  At the end of this story (not included in today's reading), God lifts the darkness from Job's life and his good fortune is restored.  The author of this story wants to point out that our sufferings are not a punishment.  This story points out that human suffering is a far deeper mystery than mere man can solve.  There is no satisfactory human solution to suffering and pain.  But as the Psalms tell us: "Our hope is in the Lord."
    We can think of many instances in this life when tragedies have been overcome and hope has prevailed in allowing victims to move forward.  Our country has moved forward in spite of the tragic events of 09/11/01.  Perhaps you are learning to cope with a just-discovered illness or loss of income.  The Lord calls us to trust in him in spite of the obstacles that lay before us.  Those who prevail have an eternity of joy awaiting them

Second Reading: I Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23
     Paul has one priority in life: to preach the Gospel.  He has put aside his personal interests and well-being because of his vocation of spreading the Word of God.  He cannot boast about his preaching because he feels obligated to do so, and he is rewarded in doing so because it bring him great joy.  Even if he felt no joy, he would feel compelled to carry out his vocation.
     Paul does not do this for money; nor does he burden anyone for payment or renumeration of any kind.  He realizes that he was not called because he was old or righteous or because he was an eloquent speaker; he was commissioned by God.  It was not so much a question of preaching the word of God if he felt like it, but rather that he was directed to do so by Christ himself.  Therefore, he had to preach the Word of God despite hardships it would entail. 
    Paul writes: "...I have become all things to all, to save at least some.  All this I do for the sake of the Gospel..."  We too are called to be an example for others; like Christ, we are called to be kind, compassionate, patient, tolerant, and forgiving.  We may be the only physical example of Christ others may see.  Like Christ, Paul gave his life for others.  We must do the same.

Gospel: Mark 1: 29-39
   When Mark wrote his gospel, one thing was uppermost in his mind; he wanted to tell us who this man Jesus was.  Specifically, he wanted his readers to recognize that Jesus is the Son of God.
     In today's reading, the demons know very well who Jesus is.  When Mark tells us that Jesus went about teaching and preaching in the towns, we are given no details about the content of what he preached or taught.  Mark is intent on emphasizing that Jesus is one who comes from God and therefore speaks with divine authority.
    Mark tells us that after being baptized, Jesus prayed to his Father.  Then he went about healing many who were sick, Peter's mother-in-law among them.  He also cast out demons and many knew him.  Mark wants us to know who his pracher-teacher-healer is who is on speaking terms with demons.  With the arrival of Jesus came the establishment of the reign of God and the uprooting of the reign of evil.  No wonder the demons want nothing to do with him. 
    Jesus' fame spread quickly and crowds of people came looking for him.  Jesus realizes that the people do not want him; they want miracles.  The demons recognize who he is, but the crowds misunderstand him.  They do not understand that the greatest wonder that Jesus will perform will be his suffering, his death on a cross and his ultimate resurrection.  He is one with our suffering, and he came to bring us hope and salvation.
     Jesus was on a mission.  He needed to get the Word out to other villages and towns, to the brokenhearted, the sick and those possessed by demons.  This is our mission too.  There are many lonely, ill and depressed people who need us to bring the Good News of salvation to them.  A word of encouragement, a smile or our supportive presence will help them recognize who Jesus is and that he is alive and present among us.

-Sunday, February 8, 2009