ST. JEROME PRIEST & DOCTOR, ON MONDAY OF WEEK 26 IN ORDINARY TIME - 2024

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

The Son of Man came to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many. MK 10:45

JOB 1:6-22

My Soul's Beloved,

Truly Satan has earned all his titles - the great deceiver, liar, thief, murderer, destroyer, and while he retains his intelligence he is no match at all for those who are little, humble, simple, lovers of goodness, beauty, and truth. Lovers of God and doers of God's holy will in all circumstances. Satan pretends that he knows everything and makes a great pretense of knowing us - but the truth is, he knows nothing. All he does is tempt and if we refuse to be tempted but resolutely keep our gaze fixed on You, O Lord, he is powerless.

Satan thought he knew Job, but he didn't.  God knew Job and this is why He confidently gave Satan the power to take away his possessions, his family whom he loved dearly, as well as his health but over his life, Satan had no power to take away his life. You alone O Lord are the Author and Preserver of Life. 

Satan did his worst to destroy Job's faith in You, his friends were no help at all. His wife was no better, she advised him to curse God and die. But You O Lord were vindicated in Your faith in Job's love for You and in Job's faithfulness.

Job is a testament to people in every generation that no matter how heavy the blows that life may deal us, if we cling to You through it all, if we trust You in all circumstances and with Your help O Lord do not allow our spirits to be overcome but continue to cling to You in faith, hope, and love - You O Lord will come to our aid and restore all we have lost a hundred-fold. In the end, O Lord, if we remain faithful in all circumstances and continue to trust in Your infinite mercy and love, we will taste Your goodness and we will triumph against the world, the flesh, and the devil.

So the Lord asked him, ‘Did you notice my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth: a sound and honest man who fears God and shuns evil.’ ‘Yes,’ Satan said ‘but Job is not God-fearing for nothing, is he? Have you not put a wall round him and his house and all his domain? 

But stretch out your hand and lay a finger on his possessions: I warrant you, he will curse you to your face.’ ‘Very well,’ the Lord said to Satan ‘all he has is in your power. But keep your hands off his person.’ So Satan left the presence of the Lord.

Job rose and tore his gown and shaved his head. Then falling to the ground he worshipped and said:

‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
naked I shall return.
The Lord gave, the Lord has taken back.
Blessed be the name of the Lord!’
In all this misfortune Job committed no sin nor offered any insult to God.

PSALM 16(17):1-3,6-7

Turn your ear to me, O Lord; hear my words.

Lord, hear a cause that is just,
pay heed to my cry.
Turn your ear to my prayer:
no deceit is on my lips.

From you may my judgement come forth.

Your eyes discern the truth.
You search my heart, you visit me by night.
You test me and you find in me no wrong.

I am here and I call, you will hear me, O God.

Turn your ear to me; hear my words.
Display your great love, you whose right hand saves
your friends from those who rebel against them.

Turn your ear to me, O Lord; hear my words.

LUKE 9:46-50

My Soul's Beloved,

Our fallen nature desires to shove and push our way to the top regardless of who we crush and even destroy in the process. When we are among our peers we all suffer from the disease of one-upmanship. We want more for ourselves. We make sure we are first at the table. We fill ourselves greedily taking more than we need and wasting the rest blind to the needs of others who may go hungry and in want because of our greed. 

The disciples were no different. They didn't get what true discipleship was about even though they were privileged to live for three whole years in close companionship with you, the Son of God. Concupiscence raised its ugly head now and then as it did when they argued about which of them was the greatest. Did You sigh Lord, that they didn't get it? Do You often sigh when I don't get it? When I so readily give in to laziness, to the desires of my flesh, to temptation? Calling a child to Your side You place the little one in their midst and You taught them what truly pleases God.

‘Anyone who welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For the least among you all, that is the one who is great.’

Childlike simplicity and humility, and a total and docile surrender to the will of God in all things is what pleases God the most. Obedience to the will of God is more pleasing to You than sacrifice.

It is only when we see ourselves as members of one family of God, all wording towards the same goal, which is to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth, only then will be truly live as brothers and sisters and rejoice when we are united in this mission given to all Your disciples.

John spoke up. ‘Master,’ he said ‘we saw a man casting out devils in your name, and because he is not with us we tried to stop him.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘You must not stop him: anyone who is not against you is for you.’