Reflection on Fifth Sunday Readings in Ordinary Time

Job 7:1-4, 6-7

"My life is misery, it is empty, futile, a drudgery
it is full of restlessness and suffering
I shall not see happiness again.
I have no hope, no good.
My eyes will never again see joy.”

Job loudly complains about his life. He compares human life in general to the work of a day laborer.

Are there days, months that you have you felt that way?
What was your relationship with God during those times?

Job shows us what to do when we are suffering. In the beginning of his tribulations he chooses to calmly accept the will of God but later expresses his hostility toward God for what has happened to him. This scripture story teaches us that both responses are good because both are done in a relationship with God. God trusts his servant, Job, to serve him. Job has an opportunity to live up to God’s trust in him. He directs himself constantly toward God, in patience or in turmoil.
Job insists on a response from God and receives one.

God wants to be in intimate relationship with us and desires our response of faithful service.

Am I loyal to God?
And if so, am I loyal to God for the gifts God has given me
or am I loyal to the Giver?

1 Cor 9: 16-19,22-23

Paul is loyal to God. He accepts the task entrusted to him by God: to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ. Preaching the gospel was Paul’s gift and calling, and he said he couldn’t stop preaching even if he wanted to. “I can’t help myself, it would be agony for me not to preach.”
Paul accepted the task freely. It is not the kind of freedom from restraint but the kind of freedom for service. Paul was driven by the desire to do what God wanted, using his gifts for God’s glory. We, too, are entrusted with a stewardship that we are obliged to fulfill.

To quote Bishop McGrath
“As disciples of Christ, we are called to “Proclaim God’s Message, a message that reveals God’s love for us and the love we have for one another. We are called to be examples of God’s message of love in our daily lives and with everyone we meet. In this way we live each day as disciples of Christ and proclaim God’s love to our world. This is a great challenge, but in accepting this challenge, we discover many blessings in our own lives.”

As disciples of Christ, we are entrusted with a stewardship, which we are obliged to fulfill: To proclaim God’s message, the Good News of Jesus Christ.

What special gifts had God given you?
Are you motivated, like Paul, to honor God with your gifts?

Paul gives several important principles for ministry:

1) Find common ground with those you contact
2) Avoid a know-it–all attitude
3) Make others feel accepted
4) Be sensitive to their needs and concerns
5) Look for opportunities to tell them about Christ.

These principles are just as valid for us as they were for Paul.

Mk 1:29-39

What does a loyal servant do? Jesus shows us the way.
In today’s gospel he cured Simon’s mother-in law. He took hold of her hand and raised her up.
As soon as the fever leaves her and she began to serve them. Jesus heals people of their spiritual and physical illnesses. These healings are signs of God’s salvation offered to us. They show the power of God active in Jesus. Jesus shows us how to serve God by preaching the Good News of God’s love.

To accomplish his mission, Jesus took time to pray. Finding time to pray is not easy, but prayer is the vital link between God and us.