There are times when the Scripture readings seem to completely contradict each other. Today we hear Job’s deep lament of his sufferings from the Old Testament, while in the New Testament we read about Jesus healing Peter’s mother-in-law and the whole town of Capernaum. The first addresses profound suffering, while the second is a story of abundant healing.

This apparent contradiction draws us into one of the great mysteries of life—the meaning of suffering. How can a good God allow evil? If God desires to heal us, why does he let us suffer? The answers to these questions Christ fully discloses on the Cross. Today we will ponder this mystery briefly, but these are questions we wrestle with throughout our lives as we wait for Heaven where “every tear will be wiped away.”

Though we may never fully understand suffering, we can be certain that God desires to heal us and bring value into our suffering. He sent us his only Son to suffer and die for our salvation, and through this mystery we can glimpse how suffering can make us more like him. But we first need to ask for him to heal us in our suffering. We see Jesus beginning that work today in the little town of Capernaum, and he longs to continue that same work in each of our lives.

First Reading Reflection

Job 7:1–4, 6–7

There are certain places in the Old Testament where we see so clearly the state of the human race without a Savior. Job is a righteous man—it is precisely his uprightness that draws the attention of God and the Adversary or Satan, leading to his trials. Despite his virtues, he is left utterly distraught by his suffering. But although distraught, he does not despair and is finally vindicated.In the face of the mystery of suffering, Job can do but one thing. We are told when he first hears of the deaths of his children that he “fell upon the ground and worshiped” (Job 1:20, RSV). The scene of Job worshipping in the midst of his mourning is striking. Indeed, he must have been the most righteous man on earth.

Throughout his trials, Job complains of his innocence and even curses the day of his birth, but he does not curse God. He recognizes to some extent that the significance of suffering is not lost in the mystery of God’s sovereign providence. And in the end, God does not upbraid Job for protesting his innocence—he was righteous after all—but for the shallowness of his complaints. God does not say to Job, “You are too small to complain to me,” but, rather, “What you are complaining about is bigger and deeper than you are.” How much deeper will remain undisclosed until Christ comes and embraces the whole of human suffering.

Second Reading Reflection

1 Corinthians 9:16–19,  22–23

Much of the human condition remains the same even after the coming of Christ. Just as Job in our First Reading refers to the days of our life as like those of a hireling and even a slave, so Paul compares himself to a slave in the service of the Gospel. Life is still a valley of tears, and there are still hardships to be faced. In fact, St. Paul’s hardships were likely considerably increased by his “obligation” to preach the Gospel. Had he remained a Jewish rabbi, he may well have had comfort, prestige, and a place among the great ones of his people. Instead he makes himself “a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible” to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

One thing is markedly changed, however, after the coming of Christ. Suffering, especially when undertaken for the love of God and for the Gospel, can carry with it a tremendous joy. Paul says to the Colossians, “I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake” (1:24). So, even though Paul pictures himself in our reading as a slave who works for a later share in the Gospel’s blessings, he is blessed by the very gift of himself to Christ, even in the present.

Gospel Reading Reflection

Mark 1:29–39

It is hinted at in the very beginning  of Mark’s Gospel that Jesus passed his authority on to the Church because Jesus made Capernaum his new home. Capernaum is Peter’s city and Jesus, after leaving the synagogue which was the scene of last week’s Gospel reading (in which he cast out a demon), goes “immediately” (RSV) to Peter’s house. If we remember that Mark is writing for Gentiles, the very phrase, “And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon” suggests the course that the followers of Jesus are themselves going to follow. They too will leave the synagogue and enter Peter’s house: the Church. It is significant, too, that Jesus spends the first Sunday recorded in the Gospel curing the afflicted and casting out demons within Peter’s house.

Christ still teaches, heals, and lives in Peter’s house, the Church. He still makes his home, his headquarters, in Peter’s city—now Rome, rather than Capernaum. The old adage still holds true that the Church of Christ can be found wherever Peter is. We can see that the roots of that ancient proverb are clearly found in Scripture. In short, the authority exercised by Christ, which so amazed the people of Galilee, is still being exercised in the Catholic Church.

PRAYER:

Let’s reflect on these words from the Gospel reading from today. Call to mind the scene of Jesus healing Peter’s mother-in-law. Then imagine the whole town coming to his doorstep with all of their needs for healing. What needs do you need to bring to the Lord in your own life? Take a word that comes to mind and reflect for a moment on what it means to you personally. For example, you might have been attracted to the words, “He approached.” Ask yourself what they mean in your own life. How do you feel when you imagine Jesus approaching you? Do you trust him? Do you want him to approach you in this place? How can you allow him to approach you in the places you desire healing?

RESOLUTION: 

St. Therese of Lisieux said, “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.” Ask God today to teach you to pray. Ask him to help you turn towards Heaven with a cry of love throughout your day. What practical thing can you do this week to look towards God and let him approach you in his great love?

Reprinted from  Opening the Word at Formed.org .
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