In today’s first reading we hear about Job (JB 1:6-22) and how God allowed Satan to test him. This story has some ironic twists in my opinion. For example while God is talking with Satan about Job He mentions how Job is serving Him well. He then goes on to allow Satan to test Job. You would think that because Job was serving God well that he would be protected.
However, that was not the case. Satan was allowed to turn Job’s life upside down. But it was Job’s reaction that is the example we should follow. Job says in the face of this adversity “Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I go back again.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD!”
It took a great deal of courage for Job to react this way in the face of all that had gone wrong in his life. But what he said is right. We come into this world with nothing and we will go out with nothing. In the meantime, it is our calling to stay faithful and serve God to the best of our ability.
In the Gospel from Luke (LK 9:46-50) we hear about the disciples arguing about who was the greatest among them. I am sure the disciples were surprised when Jesus used a child to show them how people are to act in order to best serve God. Jesus uses the child because children are vulnerable, loyal and they are interested in serving to please.
This is how we are called to serve God. We are asked to be vulnerable to His directions. Loyal, like Job, when bad things happen. Most importantly and ready to serve when His call comes.
GVW4U 