Word to the Wise
Thursday, September 30, 2010 - St. Jerome - priest and doctor of the church
[Job 19:21-27 and Luke 10:1-12]But as for me, I know that my Vindicator lives, and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust; whom I myself shall see: my own eyes, not another's shall behold him, and from my flesh I shall see God; my inmost being is consumed with longing.
How does one give hope in a situation where even the word, "hope," becomes a kind of mockery? Job believes that God is persecuting him and this is one "city hall" that is impossible to fight! Yet, Job has a tiny hope that there will be someone who will intercede for him with God. Christian faith (and familiarity with Handel's MESSIAH) has traditionally translated the word to mean "redeemer" in the sense of Jesus' action on our behalf. The power of the aria and the King James bible translation, I know that my redeemer liveth, has almost succeeded in chiseling the meaning into our understanding. (Read the lines just before the quote above!) There are echoes of various kinds that resonate in my own response to these words. I think of the process that many people go through when told that they have a terminal condition. There is the denial "stage" where one tries to find the "redeemer cure," followed by the "bargaining" where one speaks directly with God or sets a goal of some kind to be met before "giving up." Job is not ready to give up. After this chapter, he does abandon the notion of a "vindicator" who will argue his case or get justice for him, but he will now demand to confront God and bargain with God. On retreats, I often refer to a painting in my room which depicts a young boy out in a field with a rock in his hand, preparing to throw it at the sky in the hopes of hitting God! This is a symbol of prayer to me. Abraham, Moses and Job are all examples of people who had the courage to confront God and demand justice. At times in my pastoral life, when confronted with a situation that seemed hopeless, I would say in prayer, "I've done what I can do. If you can do a better job, be my guest!" I call it the "prayer of exasperation." Job is beyond exasperation. He is at the point of absurdity and this enables him to stand and shout. Exasperation, desperation and absurdity can be a path toward the future because they turn us to the One who is ultimately the greatest hope. AMEN
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