|
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time 8 th February 2009
If Job were to say today what is recorded in the first reading it is likely that he would be referred for medical attention. Well-meaning people would make a diagnosis of a bout of low spirits at best. But wait a minute! The words of Job given to us today are part of Job’s response to the first speech of his friend, Eliphaz. When Job was at his lowest with terrible sores three of his friends arrange to comfort him. They were so shocked at Job’s condition that they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights and no one spoke a word to him! Imagine not being well and your friends sitting for seven days and seven nights without saying a word to you! Then when they broke their silence and did speak, Job finds their views both tasteless and worthless. You may wish to read the Book of Job for the full story.
Contrast this with the way Jesus deals with someone who is sick and in a serious condition. It was the mother of Peter’s wife. She had gone to bed with fever and Jesus is told about this emergency straightaway. Jesus doesn’t keep silent for seven days and say nothing as happened to poor Job. There is action at once – Jesus went to her. He doesn’t talk to her and check out her symptoms and offer a diagnosis. He took her by the hand. That is lovely. Jesus takes her hand and helped her up. Isn’t that a really tender approach of Jesus?
It is easy to forget that the hand of Jesus is held out to each one of us not just when things are going well but especially when we are laid low. That can be in mind, in body, in spirit, in whatever way you feel down and need a helping hand. The trouble can be that when I am low the thought of the closeness of Jesus’ hand may be the furthest thing from my mind. But it is so real and close. Jesus comes to each of us and speaks our name as He holds out His hand to lift us up. Please don’t be afraid to take His dear hand and let Him lead you as only He knows best. Try it and you will see that it never fails.
But notice when Peter’s mother-in-law is helped up by Jesus she doesn’t sit down and put up her feet. As soon as the fever is gone, up she gets and begins to wait on them. She is a generous person and grateful to her son-in-law and to Jesus for getting her back on her feet. Gratitude is her response. After 10 lepers are healed, Jesus is sad that only one comes back to say thanks. He asks about the other nine. It is easy to forget to thank God at the end of every day and the beginning of the new day. He has led us, hand in hand, through all that happened and will never leave us to face our future alone.
Even when illness is not cured, or depression does not lift, Jesus is still with us and asking us if we can accept the invitation to become sharers in the Cross. At the end of his trials Job has still not cursed God as Satan had predicted he would if he lost his health and his wealth. Job praises God and offers thanks. This is a great example to us all on the road when times are tough. It is not easy and it is not attractive to take the example of Job and persevere through all kinds of tests and trials. But remember that at your bedside or wherever you are suffering there is the hand of Jesus asking for your hand. Just stretch it out and see what happens.
Aidan Troy, C.P. (Aodhán Ó Troighthigh, C.P.)
|
