WHO IS THE GREATEST?
Introduction
Now that he has heard God explain to him that his righteousness does not entitle him to special treatment, Job humbly says that he entrusts himself to God. Modern means of communications have brought the world more closely together and shown us more clearly too the presence of sin and evil in the world; more than half of the world is hungry and exploited, the world economy has gone out of hand notwithstanding dole-outs for development aid and whole nations are not free from inside or from outside. And in our own little worlds there is repeated selfishness, pride at the expense of others, suspicion… While condemning the sins of society, let us not lose our personal sense of sin in the process; let us not forget our solidarity of sin and at the same time live better our solidarity with love and life on account of Christ. Sin is a rejection of Christ and his message.
Opening Prayer
O God, who in your unfathomable providence
are pleased to send your holy Angels to guard us,
hear our supplication as we cry to you,
that we may always be defended by their protection
and rejoice eternally in their company.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen!
1 Reading: Job 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5
The LORD addressed Job out of the storm and said: Have you ever in your lifetime commanded the morning and shown the dawn its place For taking hold of the ends of the earth, till the wicked are shaken from its surface? The earth is changed as is clay by the seal, and dyed as though it were a garment; But from the wicked the light is withheld, and the arm of pride is shattered. Have you entered into the sources of the sea, or walked about in the depths of the abyss? Have the gates of death been shown to you, or have you seen the gates of darkness? Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth? Tell me, if you know all: Which is the way to the dwelling place of light, and where is the abode of darkness, That you may take them to their boundaries and set them on their homeward paths? You know, because you were born before them, and the number of your years is great! Then Job answered the LORD and said: Behold, I am of little account; what can I answer you? I put my hand over my mouth. Though I have spoken once, I will not do so again; though twice, I will do so no more. (1 Reading for Memorial: Exodus 23:20-23)
Responsorial Psalm PS 139:1-3, 7-8, 9-10, 13-14AB
R. (24b) Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
O LORD, you have probed me and you know me; you know when I sit and when I stand; you understand my thoughts from afar. My journeys and my rest you scrutinize, with all my ways you are familiar. R.
Where can I go from your spirit? From your presence where can I flee? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I sink to the nether world, you are present there. R.
If I take the wings of the dawn, if I settle at the farthest limits of the sea, Even there your hand shall guide me, and your right hand hold me fast. R.
Truly you have formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are your works. R.
Alleluia PS 95:8
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5,10
The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”
Commentary
Throughout the book, Job was accused and taunted by his three friends as he unwaveringly claimed innocence. In the final chapters of the book, God himself appears, with answers that prove to be less than satisfactory. God is not about to deal with a problem as great as suffering on a one-on-one basis. There are many mysteries in fife that defy human explanation. The Lord presents some of them in today’s reading; they extend from light to darkness, morning to night, the depths of the sea, death itself. Does Job have any answer for all of this? If not, why does God owe Job an explanation? Embarrassed and demoralized, Job can only regret that he had ever spoken.
WORDS FROM THE HOLY FATHER
We were chosen for love and this is our identity. ‘I have chosen this religion, I have chosen…’ [we might say]. No, you have not chosen. It is He Who has chosen you, has called you, and has joined Himself to you. And this is our faith. If we do not believe this, we don’t understand the message of Christ, we don’t understand the Gospel.” “He was enamoured of our smallness, and for this reason He has chosen us. And He chooses the small: not the great, the small. And He is revealed to the small: ‘you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones.’ He is revealed to the little ones: if you want to understand something of the mystery of Jesus, lower yourself: make yourself small. Be mindful of being nothing. (Santa Marta, 23 June 2017)
Intercessions
– That the world of today may not lose its sense of sin and “legalize” things that are wrong, we pray: – That all those hardened in sin may be touched by the Spirit of the Lord to repent and change their ways, we pray: – That the many who bear a heavy burden of sin and guilt and those who suffer from the sins of others may keep trusting in God’s liberating and forgiving goodness, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God, merciful Father, in these signs of bread and wine your Son comes among us with his cross to put an end to all pride of sin and to be the starting point of our new existence. In him you showed us the new person. Give us his strength to repent and to be converted, to rise above our petty selfishness and like him, to love and serve without counting the cost. We ask you this through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God, merciful Father, you respect and educate our freedom. You do not give us guarantees against failure but you call us to choose and decide. God, forgive us and help us when in our clumsy, awkward efforts to see your Son’s freedom become real and alive, we take risks and make mistakes. We want to remain faithful to you through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
Blessing
The Lord sends his angels to guide us, to light our ways. The silent voices that daily direct our ways to good and lead us away from evil. Our Creator loves us. May God have mercy on us and help us. May God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Prayer to Your Guardian Angel
Angel of God,
my guardian dear,
To whom God’s love
commits me here,
Ever this day,
be at my side,
To light and guard,
Rule and guide.
Amen.