Luke 9:51-56

Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23

Psalm 88:2-3, 4-5, 6, 7-8

Luke 9:51-56

When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled,

he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem,

and he sent messengers ahead of him.

On the way they entered a Samaritan village

to prepare for his reception there,

but they would not welcome him

because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem.

When the disciples James and John saw this they asked,

“Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven

to consume them?”

Jesus turned and rebuked them,

and they journeyed to another village.

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you sent your Son into the world not to condemn it but to save it. You know what I need to welcome your Son into my life. I desire that you dwell in my heart and reign there. Protect me from all that would separate me from you.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Job’s Despair: In the First Reading, we hear parts of Job’s opening monologue. Satan accused Job of only being pious and righteous because he had wealth and health. In response to this accusation, God permitted Satan to test Job and take away Job’s property, children, and health. Job’s opening monologue, in the aftermath of his afflictions, is a cry of distress. His life has become unbearable, and he desires death to end the suffering. “Job utters a sevenfold curse on the day of his birth (3:3-9) and wishes out loud that he had never survived infancy (3:11, 16)” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: Job, 19). Even though he has lost almost everything and curses the day of his birth, Job does not curse God or God’s creation. Although he is not perfect, he remains faithful when tested.

2. Jesus’ Resolution: The Book of Job did not offer a clear answer about what happens after our death. At no point in the book does Job say: “I am willing to suffer and lose this earthly life to gain the eternal life that awaits me.” The question of suffering and God’s care for us receives its ultimate explanation not in the Book of Job but in the Gospel of Christ. Jesus is the innocent Lamb who suffers on account of our sins and merits eternal life for us. “Through the Passion of Jesus, we learn that God is not indifferent to the sighs and groans of the human race; for in Christ, he has lowered himself into our world and tasted the bitterness of human rejection and pain. In doing so, he has revealed that suffering is a means of redemption and not just of merit or the improvement of one’s moral character” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: Job, 15). In today’s Gospel, we see that Jesus is determined to go to Jerusalem to suffer and die for us. He is moved by love and manifests mercy and patience on those who would not welcome him in Samaria.

3. Thérèse’s Confidence: Saint Thérèse, whose memorial we celebrate today, taught that confidence is the path that leads us to the Love that grants everything. “With confidence, the wellspring of grace overflows into our lives, the Gospel takes flesh within us and makes us channels of mercy for our brothers and sisters (Francis, C’est la confiance, 2). Thérèse is the saint who discovered the “little way,” the way of spiritual childhood. She writes: “I had no need to grow up, but rather I had to remain little.” In this way, she was confident not in herself but in the power of God. She spoke of not trusting in her own merits but of trusting in God to make her a saint. Her teaching does not contradict the Church’s teaching about grace and how we need to cooperate with God’s grace, do good works, and grow in holiness. What Thérèse emphasizes is the primacy of God’s action: “She encourages us to have complete confidence as we contemplate the love of Christ poured out to the end” (Francis, C’est la confiance, 19).

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, teach me the little way to holiness. I have tried so many paths to grow in holiness. When I see progress, I am tempted to fall into pride. When I advance, I am tempted to compare myself to others. Teach me to imitate you and become meek and humble of heart.

Living the Word of God: Do I trust in my own efforts to grow in holiness, or do I need to follow the little way taught by Thérèse and place my trust in the infinite mercy of God? Can I take some time this week to read and highlight passages from Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation “C’est la confiance” on Confidence in the Merciful Love of God (October 15, 2023)?