Homily for Saturday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Job 42:1-17, Psalm 119:66-130 and Luke 10:17-24
“And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; and he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she-asses.” (Job 42:12)
Both our readings today are set on a tone of joy and happiness. Finally, God restores everything Job had lost. Within a twinkle of an eye, Job went from being the most pitiable man on earth to be the richest man on earth. In his later life, Job was blessed with seven sons and three daughters; the fairest of all the women on earth. From a near-death experience, Job was gifted with an additional one hundred and forty years.
In sending out the seventy, they must have wondered in their hearts how they would survive without a bag, a wallet, an extra tunic or even some loaves of bread. They went on a “suicide mission” so to say. Jesus even told them they were being sent as sheep in the midst of wolves.
Today, the seventy returned with joy. Not one of them was missing. Not one of them returned sick, malnourished or injured. They suddenly learned the secret of God’s providence. They now understood that God makes ways where there seems to be no way; that those who truly put their trust in God are never disappointed. They never knew how powerful they were or what they were capable of achieving with the name of Jesus.
Dear friends, no condition is permanent, nothing lasts forever. Like Job, you may be experiencing your own sad moments but no matter how long it seems, God who changed Job’s situation within a second can change yours. You will not cry forever. Like Sarah who laughed at herself when she heard she would carry a child, your day of laughter will not pass you by.
The seventy went out in fear but returned with joy; a true reflection of ministry. Doing God’s work is akin to walking on the narrow and difficult path but the joy of the ministry is a joy that cannot easily be quantified or described.
Finally, Jesus cautioned that we should base our joy not in our ability to command evil spirits but in the fact that our names are written in the book of life. It is more blessed to have your name in heaven than to have the power of exorcism. No wonder Jesus warned: “On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty work in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.” (Matthew 7:22-23).
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, teach me to trust in you completely knowing that whatever I am facing now will soon turn into laughter and joy for me. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you.