FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2024

FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

First Reading: Job 7: 1-4, 4-6

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 147 1-6

Second Reading: 1Cor 9: 1`6-19,22-23

Gospel: Mark 1: 29-29

We often feel sorry for Job! His name has become an epithet for the upright man who is enduring several calamities. Despite all his lamentation, protestation, and prayers, God seems to be ignoring him. Before the reform of the Second Vatican Council, we did not get to see the Book of Job in the Sunday Lectionary. The Council’s renewed emphasis on scripture led to a broader appreciation of various biblical texts including the Book of Job. A reading from the Book of Job appears only once in the Sunday readings. So, why here? Why does the Church introduce us to Job’s suffering so early in this year’s liturgical calendar and so close to the beginning of Lent in ten days?  Perhaps, the Book’s story of how God allowed Job; a wealthy and upright man to be tested by Satan and its exploration of suffering, steadfast faith, and divine justice makes it a good preparation for Lent. The entire book seems like a contest between God and Satan, between God’s certainty of victory and Satan’s relentless effort to test Job and shame God.

This contest is a mirror of our fallen human condition. God allows temptations to come our way not because He wants us to fail but as in the case of Job, God is so confident that we can overcome the trials of Satan that He does not give up on us even when we are tempted to give in to despair. It is important to remember this, especially at the moment of our greatest difficulties. Each one of us has experienced at one point or another or even now, what Job experienced: loss, pain, depression, and hopelessness. Job is feeling sorry for himself, a feeling perhaps shared by many of us from time to time, a feeling of misery. Do you feel your situation so bad that you question like Job, “Is not man’s life on earth a drudgery?” and you conclude like him, ‘My days come to an end without hope, and I shall not see happiness again.’

Katherine Dell, in her Commentary titled, “Understanding Job” reminds us that Job has much to teach those who grapple with suffering in our contemporary world. the lesson is not to give up on God because bad things happen and God appears to be silent, it is not one of resignation or abandonment but rather a call to steadfast faith. Job in his anguish and trials becomes a mirror for our struggles. Knowing that God was with him made all the difference for Job. His unwavering commitment to God in the face of suffering, reveals a profound faith – faith deepens through adversity. When we suffer adversity and feel perplexed, we can find solace in the enduring example of Job. The Book of Job teaches us that suffering is part of the human condition and that God is not indifferent to human suffering. If he allows it, it is always so that greater good may arise from it. It invites us to reflect on how we respond to the difficult times in our lives. Job teaches us to turn to the Lord in prayer and as we know, in the end, God rewards Job for not losing hope or faith.

In the Gospel, we find that Jesus had quite a very busy sabbath. After leaving the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon and Andrew. He cured Peter’s mother-in-law, and he later cured many others who were sick and cast out demons. In this way, he reveals Himself as “God among us” who is not indifferent to human suffering. Like Job, knowing that God is with us in our most difficult moments, holding on to Him, and refusing to give in to the suggestions of Satan will make all the difference.

When Jesus was told, “Everyone is looking for you.” He responded by revealing that His priority is to spread the Good News to as many people as possible. This is very important because it teaches us that the most important thing is not that we are relieved of our suffering but the knowledge that God is with us in our trials. The responsorial Psalm is a call to praise. It covers all possible motives for praise: from God’s greatness in the work of creation to his benevolence toward His people. Our praise of God who heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds amid trials becomes man’s greatest expression of faith in God and expresses our certainty of victory.

Happy Sunday

Fr Chidi Onwuka m.ss.cc.