Homily Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Job: 7:1-4, 6-7) “Why Me?”
Homily Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Job: 7:1-4, 6-7) “Why Me?”
A political cartoon sums up the situation in our society right now. The picture is of a woman watching television. The cartoon is divided into four quadrants. The first is labeled February 2020. The message the television blares is, “Stay home because of the Pandemic.” The second quadrant is labeled June. The message proclaimed on the screen is the same. “Stay home because of the pandemic.” The third quadrant labeled November is the like the first two. But then we come to the last picture where there is a message on the screen which is marked February 2021. And it reads, “Stay home Polar Vortex is on the way.” The woman watching TV says, “Oh its so good to have different news today.”
The last year truly has been a trial. The present winter weather does not pick up our spirits too much. Perhaps we begin to question God at such times. Really, there are a couple of thoughts that cross our mind. One is that we might wonder, “Why is God doing this to me?” Another question that comes to mind is this, “Is God testing?”
Is there a scripture story that would seem to be most helpful in our present situation? Often when we someone enduring misfortune after misfortune but maintaining a sense of calmness we say, “He/She has the patience of Job.” What’s that mean? Job is a book in the Bible that is 42 chapters long. We read from that work in the first lesson today. Maybe we are familiar with the story. Maybe we aren’t.
The book of Job begins by describing him as a man who is very prosperous. He is blessed in every way. He has a large loving family. He has abundant wealth. He is a powerful Mid-Eastern herdsman with many servants to protect him. Job has a deep faith in God. Job feels like he’s in control. God points to Job saying, “Look how much he loves me, how good he is.” Satan can’t stand Job. He’s jealous of him so he comes before God saying, “Job has great faith, but if he falls into misfortune, he will lose faith.” God doesn’t strike Job, but he allows Satan to do so. First, Satan destroys everything that Job has built in his life. His children are all killed in terrible storm. His herds of oxen and sheep and goats are stolen or slaughtered. When Job doesn’t lose his faith. Satan then attacks his person. Boils pop out on Job’s skin from head to toe. All he can do is sit with his suffering.
Three friends (Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar) come to Job to try to comfort him. But they are less than helpful. The three try to answer the obvious question that anyone would ask. Why is God doing this to you? The three speculate that Job has done something wrong. He must have sinned in some way, so God is punishing him. The advice they give is to repent. If Job, admits his sin, the agony will cease.
Job maintains his innocence. He can’t see that he has done anything wrong. He also can’t believe that the God he worships would be so vindictive. He defends his relationship with God. He calls out to God asking for answers. In the end, God appears to Job. God does not provide answers, but Job is satisfied because God acknowledges his pain. In the end Job feels justified. His life comes back together.
What can Job teach us about our present situation? One thing that probably brings us to despair is that we feel singled out. Why is God doing this to me? God hasn’t singled anyone out to punish. All of us are dealing with problems during the pandemic. As Jesus said in Matthew 5:45, “the sun rises on the bad and the good, he rains on the just and the unjust (perhaps we could substitute snow).” No human being skates through life unblemished.
The second idea we can remember is that God doesn’t choose to test us. In the story of Job, it is Satan that causes the suffering. God, again, doesn’t prevent misfortune in anyone’s life. The challenge is how we handle difficulties. Do we show fortitude? Do we trust? Do we believe God is paying attention? For Job it was enough to have a hearing before the Lord. Job is reminded that as a weak human being he can’t understand the ways of God. Sometimes it is enough to know that we are important to God. God tells us that we are by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We learn from Jesus that God is paying attention. One day all things will be made new.
Reflection Questions:
1. Have I asked the question lately, “Why is this happening to me?” Do I feel singled out for suffering?
2. Does it help to take things less personally? Does remembering that my plight is the plight of humanity?
Dear Parishioners,
During Lent we often have small group discussions. This year you might still do that, but for safety’s sake we are not advocating that. We once again will be trying to do something virtually that we normally would do in person.
On Thursday nights at 7 p.m. we will be having a Facebook event where I will have a conversation with a parishioner about the book Jesus Wears Sock with Sandals. The first night will be the Thursday after Ash Wednesday. I will have a conversation with the author Deacon S. James Meyer. The book is built around the gifts of the Spirit. It is an easy read. More information is in this bulletin. Tune in and watch this discussion and participate with questions.
Remember that you can bring in your palms next Sunday. If it is not too cold, we will burn them outside. If we can’t, we will just collect them and burn them later.
May Our Lady and All the Angels and Saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark