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Open Wednesday Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, B February 5
When your team wins a game, or when you receive the present for which you dearly wished, what is your reaction? Whoops of joy, am I correct? Do you keep your joy a secret, or do you tell others?
Paul, in the Second Reading, and Jesus, in the Gospel, cannot keep the Good News of salvation to themselves. Paul preaches the Good News, and Jesus is the Good News. Jesus says He has come to preach the Good News. Jesus preaches. And He heals. The healings are a sign of the goodness and power of God.
Paul's words invite us to reflect ways we have shared the Good News. Plan how to share good news with someone who is suffering.
In the Gospel, note how Jesus retreats alone before dawn to a quiet place to talk to His Father. One has the impression Jesus often so prayed. Jesus demonstrates the rhythm of prayer and good works. This week, to prepare to hear the Gospel, rise early to pray.
Poor Job. Job, in the First Reading, is in need of some good news. Job is a good man who has lost his family, his livestock, and, additionally, he is covered with sores. The story of Job exemplifies the question of why bad things happen to good people.
Read the story of Job in your Bible storybook.
Recall, two weeks, ago the story of Jonah. Both men suffered. Recall that it was in Jonah's darkest moment, when he was in the belly of the fish, that Jonah sang praises to God, and then the fish deposited Jonah on the beach. We noted that praise is God's due regardless of circumstance. Circumstances can make praise excruciatingly difficult, and then our praise becomes a sacrifice. Although Job laments he has no hope, Job does not give in to despair. In his misery Job even prays for his friends (Job 42:10), and for this kind act of the will, Job finds that not only are his fortunes restored to him, but his fortunes are doubled! When we feel like we can do nothing, one lesson from the story of Job is that we can at least pray for others.
After you read the story of Job in your storybook, then immediately read the Psalm which is full of praise and hope. One balances the other.
The Gospel Acclamation links the First Reading and the Gospel: "Christ took away our infirmities and bore our diseases" (Mt 8:17).
We have already noted how Jesus would go off alone to pray. Even if you are in a crowd, you can go, so to speak, into the quiet of your own heart to talk with Jesus. When you ride the school bus, wait in a check-out line, or are sitting in the bleachers, practice being "alone" with Jesus for a time. If we become conversational friends with Jesus, then, when the bad times come, we will have developed the bonds to maintain hope.
Finally, this week, be "good news" to someone who is sad or troubled. A smile, a helping hand and an encouraging word can lift someone's day. Pray quietly for someone.
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Sunday's Readings: Job 7:1-4,6-7
Psalm 147
1 Corinthians 9:16-19,22-23
Mark 1:29-39
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