Readings: Job 38:1,12-21,40:3-5, Ps. 139:1-3,7-10,13-14, Luke 10:13-16
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.” (Luke 10:13)
There are people with whom God is not happy.
- God is not happy with those who trade in the temple. “Don’t you know my house shall be a house of prayer? But you have turned it into a den of robbers.” (Mt. 21:13, Mk 11:17). These traders were ripping off pilgrims who came to the temple to pray, taking advantage of their faith. Jesus told the seventy not to carry bags for money, but today, ministers compete among themselves in the display of riches.
- Secondly, God is not happy with those who doubt His power. Jesus was in his hometown, and the people were murmuring: “Is this not the Carpenter’s son?” (Mark 6:2). Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith and could not work miracles there. “And without faith, it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
- Thirdly, God is unhappy with those who refuse to repent their sins even after witnessing His miracles. Jesus said: “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.” (Luke 10:13).
- While writing His Gospel, John described Jesus’ miracles as signs. This was very instructive. Miracles are not things we should glory in; they are signs pointing to deeper realities. Upon seeing the great fish catch, Peter immediately descended on his knees before Jesus, saying: “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8). Peter and his companions left the fish behind and followed Jesus. Today, we seem to be leaving Jesus to follow the fish.
- If you truly believe in God, you would not need Him to prove himself by miracles. To those who asked Jesus to work a miracle to clear His name after accusing him of healing by the spirit of Beelzebub, Jesus said: “An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” (Matthew 12:39). Job suffered a lot during his trials, but his faith never wavered. He did not need a miracle from God to prove His existence.
- God spoke in today’s first reading, and Job answered: “Behold, I am of small account… I lay my hand on my mouth.” Bad days will come. There may not always be miracles to cheer your heart. In the words of St. John of the Cross, you may experience “dark nights.” Tough times don’t last, but tough people do. Develop a tough faith in God. Let not life’s troubles shake your faith and trust in God.
- In conclusion, why not seek repentance rather than asking God for miracles? How do we hope for God’s intervention when we continue to do things that offend Him? No one likes to be used and dumped, but this is exactly what we do to God when we seek His blessings and refuse to obey His words.
- Today, we remember St Francis of Assisi (1181-1226). Francis was the son of a prosperous cloth merchant in Assisi. When his father objected to having his goods sold without his consent to pay for the restoration of a church, the bishop commanded Francis to repay the money. He did. He also renounced his father and returned everything he had ever been given, even his garments. He began a life of perfect evangelical poverty, living by begging and, even then, only accepting the worst food that people had to give.
- He preached to all the love of God and the love of the created world because, having renounced everything, he celebrated everything he received, saw, or heard as a gift. A rich man sold everything and joined him in living next to a leper colony; a canon from a neighbouring church also gave up his position and joined them. They looked into the Gospel and saw the story of the rich young man whom Jesus told to sell everything; they saw Jesus telling his disciples to take nothing with them on their journey; they saw Jesus saying that his followers must also carry his cross. And on that basis, they founded an order.
- Francis begged from a peasant wearing an old brown garment tied around the middle with string, and this dress became the Franciscan habit. Francis started the practice of setting up a crib in church to celebrate the Nativity. Francis died in 1226. The Franciscans endure to this day.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, give us the grace to live authentic Christian lives. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Saint Francis of Assisi. Bible Study: Job 38:1,12-21,40:3-5, Ps. 139:1-3,7-10,13-14, Luke 10:13-16).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu