💖 HOMILY - OCTOBER 5 💖

First Reading - Job 42:1-3,5-6,12-17

Gospel - Luke 10:17-24

The readings today offer us profound insights into the nature of God's wisdom, His mercy, and our relationship with Him. In the First Reading from the Book of Job, we see the conclusion of Job’s story—a story marked by intense suffering, confusion, and eventually, revelation. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus celebrates the victory of His disciples over evil, but He redirects their joy to a greater reality—their belonging to the kingdom of heaven.

In the First Reading, we encounter Job after his long and painful journey of suffering. Job, who was once prosperous and faithful, lost everything—his health, his family, his possessions. Throughout his suffering, Job wrestles with the question, “Why is this happening to me?” He searches for answers, demanding an explanation from God, only to be confronted with the vastness of God's power and wisdom. In the end, Job humbles himself and realizes that God’s ways are far beyond human comprehension. He says, "I have spoken of things I do not understand, things too wonderful for me to know… My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you." Job’s encounter with God transforms him. He moves from questioning God to surrendering to God’s wisdom, acknowledging that God’s ways are mysterious but always rooted in divine love and justice.

Job’s story teaches us an essential lesson about faith. In our own lives, we often face moments of suffering, loss, or confusion. We may find ourselves asking the same questions as Job, wondering why certain things are happening or why God seems silent in our trials. But Job’s final realization shows us that while we may not understand everything, we can trust that God is always present, always working, and always leading us toward a greater good. Job’s life is restored after his surrender, but the greater gift he receives is the deeper knowledge of God. His suffering opened his eyes to see God in a more profound way.

In the Gospel, the seventy-two disciples return to Jesus, filled with joy because they had power over demons. They are thrilled by the authority given to them in Jesus' name. But Jesus redirects their joy, saying, “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Jesus is reminding them that the true source of joy is not in the power they wield or the miracles they perform, but in their relationship with God, in being part of His kingdom.

This is a powerful message for us. So often, we find joy in the visible signs of success, in the victories we achieve, or in the power we might experience in different forms. But Jesus reminds us that our true joy should come from something far deeper—our relationship with God. To know that our names are written in heaven, to know that we are loved by God and part of His eternal plan, is the greatest reason for joy. It’s a joy that transcends circumstances, a joy that cannot be taken away by suffering, loss, or failure.

Dear friends, the readings invite us to reflect on where we find our security and joy in life. Job teaches us that even in the midst of suffering, we can trust in God’s wisdom and care, knowing that He is always at work in ways we may not see. The Gospel reminds us that our true joy comes from knowing that we belong to God, that our names are written in heaven. 

As we continue our journey of faith, let us ask God for the grace to deepen our trust in Him, especially in times of suffering or confusion. Let us also ask for the grace to find our joy not in the passing things of this world, but in the eternal reality of being loved by God and being part of His kingdom. With this perspective, we can face life’s challenges with hope, and we can live with the deep and abiding joy that Jesus promises to His disciples. Amen.