Homily for Saturday 6th October 2018
_“Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. In that same hour, he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.’” *Luke 10:20-21*
Both our readings today are set on a tone of joy and happiness. Finally, God restores everything Job lost even more than what he once had. Within a twinkle of an eye, Job went from being the most pitiable man on earth to become the richest man. The same woman who told him to curse God and die became pregnant again for him; seven sons and three daughters. His daughters were the fairest of all the women on earth. From a near-death experience, Job was blessed with an additional one hundred and forty years.
A few days ago, we read how Jesus sent out the seventy to the various towns and villages for the work of evangelization. Luke did not tell us if the seventy said anything when they were about to go. They must have wondered in their hearts how they would survive without a bag, a wallet, an extra tunic or even some loaves of bread. They went on a “suicide mission” so to say. Some of them may have been scared about how they were going to overcome the temptations and attacks of the devil. More still, Jesus clearly explained that they were being sent as sheep in the midst of wolves.
Today, the seventy returned with joy. Not one of them was missing. Not one of them returned sick, naked or malnourished. They suddenly learned the secret of God’s providence. They now understood that God makes ways where there seems to be no way; that those who truly put their trust in God are never disappointed. What gave them the greatest joy was the fact that even satan whom they feared so much became subject to their authority. They literally could not believe what they were doing with the name of Jesus. Jesus was very happy with them but told them to rejoice more in the fact that their names were now crested in heaven.
Dear friends, no condition is permanent, nothing lasts forever. Like Job, you may be experiencing you own sad moments but no matter how long it seems, God who changed Job’s situation within a second can change yours in no time. You will not cry forever. Like Sarah who laughed at herself when she heard she would carry a child, your day of laughter will not pass you by. Nevertheless, be like Job, keep singing “I know my redeemer liveth,” keep praising God in your time of affliction.
The seventy who returned in joy to Jesus teach us that there is so much joy in doing the work of God. A few days ago, we heard Jesus make three strong statements about ministry indicating that it is a life of poverty, a life of total commitment (celibacy) and a life of complete surrender to a higher authority (obedience). We reached the conclusion that serving God comes at a cost. It is not an easy life, it is not a life for the faint-hearted or for one who wants to be rich, yet I must confess that it is at the same time a very sweet life. Yes, it is a life of pure bliss and happiness. The joy of the ministry is a joy that cannot easily be quantified or described.
Finally, Jesus cautioned that we should base our joy not in our ability to command evil spirits but in the fact that our names are written in the book of life. This means it is more blessed to have your name in heaven than to have the power of exorcism. Indeed, not all those who drive out demons in Jesus’ name will eventually enter heaven. Jesus himself said it in Matthew 7:22-23 “On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.’” Do not feel intimidated by anyone simply because he or she is doing things in Jesus name which you can’t, pay more attention to getting into heaven.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, teach me to trust in you completely knowing that whatever I am facing now will soon turn into laughter and joy for me. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Job 42:1-17, Psalm 119:66-130 and Luke 10:17-24).
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