The whole town was gathered at the door.
He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons. 
Mark 1: 33-34

Heal others and you shall be healed

Why do innocent people suffer? 
Why do people of great virtue, honest people end up being ‘losers’? 
Why is there such misery and evil in the world and why does God just look on?  
 
Have some of these or similar questions ever crossed your mind? 
 
If they have, then you now know what the Book of Job is all about. 
 
The Book addresses the oftentimes complex issues of the relationship between God and us- the issues of innocent suffering, retribution, fairness, misery…The book begins with the figure of Job, a man of means who is also a ‘friend of God’- meaning he is a devout, pious, and deeply religious and committed to God. (He has a solid relationship with God.)
 
One day Satan presents himself before God. God asks from where he is coming from. Satan replies ‘from roaming the earth and patrolling it’. God said ‘did you notice my servant Job and there is no one like him on earth- blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil.’ Satan says, ‘it is not for nothing that he is that way; you have given him everything, your protection, you have surrounded him with family, you have blessed him with the work of your hand, he has everything. But if you put forth your hand and touch anything he has, surely he will blaspheme you to your face’.  The Lord says, ‘everything that he has is in your power’ (So Satan now sets out to put Job’s faithfulness to the test). Job is stripped of everything that he has one by one- his possessions, livestock and cattle, family etc. 
 
This is with the background of this great trial/test he is going through, in which today's first reading is set. 
 
Now Job is even more weighed down by the disillusionment of his friends, who being off, being sympathetic, but then turn to mock and laugh at him. They literally turn to be his enemies (misery and suffering are thought of in Jewish theology as punishment for some wrongdoing from God). Job slips into deep despair and lament. 
 
So I have been assigned months of misery,
    and troubled nights have been allotted to me.
If in bed I say, “When shall I arise?”
    then the night drags on;
    I am filled with restlessness until the dawn.  (Job 7: 3-4)
 
Human misery and innocent suffering are very present today. Many people in the world are victims of the plots of power and wealth. Generations keep asking why me? Like Job many today are searching for the presence of God (hope)...maybe someone here, right here, right now. 
 
What did Jesus do when confronted with the enormity of human misery and suffering? What does he do at Simon’s house in the Gospel? 
 
He approached, grasped her hand and helped her up. (Doesn’t conjure up an answer or reason) .Jesus right away brings God’s presence by his nearness and healing action. By this he announces that the rule of God (God’s kingdom) has come! He breaks the power of the evil spirit for God is more powerful than Satan and the Devil is always a liar. 
 
After going off to pray in a solitary place, his disciples come to him saying that ‘everyone is looking for you’. Jesus replies ‘let us go to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose I have come. Jesus is not interested in fame and popularity but to bring God’s closeness to others.
 
How are we to imitate Christ?
Saint Paul is our model; in the second reading he firstly sees his life’s mission as the same as the mission of the Gospel and this for him is ‘an obligation’. ‘I have been entrusted with a Stewardship. Paul exists to ‘serve others’. 
 
Secondly, he is willing to renounce his rights, privileges and status so that others may experience the Joy/hope. Renunciation is the cornerstone of true discipleship.
 
I have made myself a slave to all
so as to win over as many as possible.
To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak.
I have become all things to all, to save at least some.  (1 Corinthians 9:23-24)
 
Our challenge this week is: 
 
Do you search for hope and meaning in life?...bring hope and meaning to the life of others and you will find it too.
Are you eager that others encourage and energize you?...never neglect to encourage and energize others 
Do you want your life to turn around?...turn around the lives of others.
 
Heal others, you will be healed.

-Fr. Anthony