Luke 10:17-24

Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17

Psalm 119:66, 71, 75, 91, 125, 130

Luke 10:17-24

The seventy-two disciples returned rejoicing and said to Jesus,

“Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.”

Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky.

Behold, I have given you the power

‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions

and upon the full force of the enemy

and nothing will harm you.

Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you,

but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.

“At that very moment he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said,

“I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,

for although you have hidden these things

from the wise and the learned

you have revealed them to the childlike.

Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.

All things have been handed over to me by my Father.

No one knows who the Son is except the Father,

and who the Father is except the Son

and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

Turning to the disciples in private he said,

“Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.

For I say to you,

many prophets and kings desired to see what you see,

but did not see it,

and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, direct your Son to reveal you to me. I want to be introduced more fully into the depths of your life. I want to think as you do and love as you do. Grant me the wisdom to judge all things properly and to order my life rightly.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Job Repents Before God: Today concludes our week-long reading of the Book of Job. The debate between Job and his friends about the cause of Job’s suffering ended in a stalemate. Job’s three friends – Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar – were unable to convince Job that his suffering was caused by his sins. The young Elihu (Job 32:1-37:24) did not add much to the debate but did see suffering as a manifestation of God’s discipline. In the end, the Lord revealed himself and invited Job to see that he was ignorant and weak rather than innocent. “Using a series of rhetorical questions, the speeches [of the Lord] are designed to induce humility in Job and give him a right perspective on the wisdom and power of God” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: Job, 49). The First Reading contains Job’s response of submission and repentance before God. As Job contemplated the limitless power and wisdom of God, he understood that God’s wisdom orders all things and surpasses our poor understanding (Job 42:3). He realized as well that wisdom consists not in solving the riddle of human suffering but in humbling oneself before the Lord (Job 42:6) (see Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: Job, 53).

2. Victory over Satan: In the First Reading, we learn that Job was victorious over Satan. Job learned that not all suffering is the direct punishment of personal sin. He learned that, in some cases, suffering and death are caused by the malevolent actions of evil spirits like Satan. He learned that God uses suffering to test the faith of human beings, strengthen their holiness, and lead them to selfless love. Lastly, he learned that human beings lack the capacity to evaluate divine justice (see Bergsma and Pitre, A Catholic Introduction to the Bible: The Old Testament, 550-551). In the Gospel, Jesus’ seventy-two disciples experienced victory over demons. It is truly mysterious, but God the Father permits us to be tempted by Satan and knows exactly how the devil thinks and will tempt us. God is wise and provident; the devil is foolish and short-sighted. This is why the devil ultimately loses. He has rejected the divine logic of love, mercy, self-offering, and sacrifice. The devil mistakenly and foolishly thinks that happiness consists in pride and power rather than in the knowledge and love of God.

3. Jesus Rejoiced in the Spirit: The Gospel offers us a glimpse into the interior life of Jesus. Jesus rejoices in the Spirit of God. True happiness and joy consist in knowing and loving God. Jesus speaks about the intimate knowledge that he, as the Son of God, has of the Father and the knowledge that the Father has of the Son. God the Father eternally generates his Word. Their mutual love spirates (breathes forth) their Spirit. We are invited by the triune God to share in the knowledge and love the Three Persons share. We are truly blessed not when we have earthly wealth, earthly beauty, and earthly health. We are truly blessed when we store up heavenly treasure with God, are morally and spiritually beautiful and healthy, and give of ourselves in sacrificial love.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, bring me to share in your joy. I, too, want to rejoice in the Spirit. And so, I ask you humbly, pour out your Spirit upon me and fill me with your love so that I may bring you joy and peace to everyone I encounter.

Living the Word of God: What does my heavenly bank account look like? Do I spend more time each week worrying about my retirement portfolio or building up heavenly treasure through works of charity?