Child-like Acceptance
Oct. 5: Saturday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Today is the feast of St. Faustina, but I went with the Ordinary Time readings because the Gospel reading for her memorial is the same as St. Francis of Assisi’s, which we read yesterday. But just because I can’t think of another commentary on the same reading, don’t let that imply St. Faustina is any less impressive. After all, it is through her that Jesus gave us the Divine Mercy Chaplet—
Amelia and I are usually on the 405 halfway between Santa Monica and Northridge at three o’clock, so we often pray the chaplet together, with the help of the Hallow app.
Jesus reminded St. Faustina that God’s mercy is limitless. We just have to learn to accept it.
Reading 1
Jb 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17
Job answered the LORD and said:
I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be hindered. I have dealt with great things that I do not understand; things too wonderful for me, which I cannot know. I had heard of you by word of mouth, but now my eye has seen you. Therefore I disown what I have said, and repent in dust and ashes.
Thus the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his earlier ones. For he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she-asses. And he had seven sons and three daughters, of whom he called the first Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Kerenhappuch. In all the land no other women were as beautiful as the daughters of Job; and their father gave them an inheritance along with their brothers. After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; and he saw his children, his grandchildren, and even his great-grandchildren. Then Job died, old and full of years.
In what would’ve been yesterday’s readings, if we hadn’t discussed St. Francis of Assisi instead, God challenges Job about his knowledge and power.
Job answers in today’s readings: “I don’t know.” Even after everything that Job’s been through, he looks at God and himself, and accepts that he does not measure up. God is omniscient, omnipotent, and all-loving. We cannot possibly understand his reasons for anything. All we can do is trust.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 119:66, 71, 75, 91, 125, 130
R. (135) Lord, let your face shine on me.
Teach me wisdom and knowledge,
for in your commands I trust.
R. Lord, let your face shine on me.
It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
that I may learn your statutes.
R. Lord, let your face shine on me.
I know, O LORD, that your ordinances are just,
and in your faithfulness you have afflicted me.
R. Lord, let your face shine on me.
According to your ordinances they still stand firm:
all things serve you.
R. Lord, let your face shine on me.
I am your servant; give me discernment
that I may know your decrees.
R. Lord, let your face shine on me.
The revelation of your words sheds light,
giving understanding to the simple.
R. Lord, let your face shine on me.
Suffering can teach us, if nothing else, patience and perseverance. We can never really know how strong our faith is without a real test.
Alleluia
See Mt 11:25
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God is ultimately unknowable, but if we open ourselves up to learning as a little child does, we can always discover new aspects.
Gospel
Lk 10:17-24
The seventy-two disciples returned rejoicing and said to Jesus, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.”
Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power ‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.
”At that very moment he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”
Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.
For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”
Jesus is speaking both literally and figuratively here. The disciples are expelling demons, agents of Satan, from the world. But also, as the Kingdom of God is gradually being established, evil in all its forms is being defeated; the dominion of Satan over humanity is at an end.
Why were the disciples able to do these amazing things? Not from their own power, but through child-like acceptance of God’s power. Jesus teaches us to look to God as a Father, who has great knowledge and power, but also love for us.