October 6th, 2018

Saturday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time

LECTIONARY
460

FIRST READING
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.

PSALM
PS 119:66, 71, 75, 91, 125, 130

Response: Lord, let your face shine on me.

Teach me wisdom and knowledge,
for in your commands I trust.

It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
that I may learn your statutes.

I know, O LORD, that your ordinances are just,
and in your faithfulness you have afflicted me.

According to your ordinances they still stand firm:
all things serve you.

I am your servant; give me discernment
that I may know your decrees.

The revelation of your words sheds light,
giving understanding to the simple.

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.”

Daily Reflection

6th October 2018

The disciples return from their mission of going out, proclaiming the kingdom and witnessing to its coming with awesome signs. They share the incredible power of God working through them. Jesus acknowledges their enthusiasm but tells them not to rejoice because of their new-found authority over evil spirits; the disciples are to rejoice because their names are ‘written in heaven’.

It is this knowledge of the lasting joy offered to us, that gets us through life. Worldly joys are temporary. They offer a shallow, momentary happiness. Knowing that our names are ‘written in heaven’ is the greatest hope and greatest joy we can experience. True peace is found in acknowledging that what happens to us in this world does not matter, as Job, in the first reading, realises. To know that we are part of God’s plan is the source of our blessedness, too.

Today’s readings leave us with three strong takeaways: first, take joy knowing that your name is written in heaven; second, there is joy in seeing God’s purpose being fulfilled and being an instrument in that process; and third, there is joy in the knowledge that God’s salvation has been made available for all people.