Word to the Wise
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 - St. Jerome - priest and doctor of the Church
[Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23 and Luke 9:51-56]Job opened his mouth and cursed his day. Job spoke out and said: Perish the day on which I was born, the night when they said, "The child is a boy!"
The Book of Job is one of the great pieces of literature of all time. Even people who have no religion or faith will find in the Book of Job a transcendent reflection on the mystery of suffering. Make no mistake about it - Job's suffering is a mystery. On one level it is the result of a series of catastrophes. The scientific and materialistic response is just that. In this view, Job is simply unlucky. On another level, the level of faith, Job's suffering raises the ultimate question, "Why?" If suffering is to be viewed as a punishment for wrongdoing, what did Job do that is wrong? His "friends" are convinced that he MUST have done something wrong, otherwise he wouldn't be suffering! If suffering is meant to be an opportunity to help someone else, whom is Job helping? On still another level, the level of the story of the book, suffering is seen to be a test of faith and integrity. Job refuses to accept a lie from his friends. He has done nothing wrong and therefore there is nothing to admit, nor will he "curse God and die," as his wife advises! Some would say that Job's greatest suffering comes from the insistence of his "friends" that he is responsible somehow for what has happened to him. One could hardly blame him for his denunciation of them which adds up pretty much to the old expression, "With friends like you, who needs enemies!" Nor is Job happy with God in this matter either! Ultimately God simply says, "Will we have arguing with the Almighty by the critic? Let him would correct God give answer!" Job's suffering remains a mystery to him, but he is "vindicated" in the end. His faith and integrity are rewarded. The "solution" will not please anyone who wants an answer to unexplainable suffering, but the very necessity to reflect on the mystery takes it beyond the materialistic shrug about bad luck! AMEN
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