Sunday, September 25, 2016

26th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, 26-09-16

Job 1:6-22 / Luke 9:46-50

For something to be "tried and tested" it would be necessary to go through some kind of "baptism of fire".

Whether understood literally or figuratively, the reality of the power of fire is obvious - it destroys and at the same time it also purifies.

In the battlefield, when soldiers are under fire, that will be the moment to see how courageous they are.

In life, when faith is under fire and undergoing a baptism of fire, that will be the time to see what the faith is all about.

In the 1st reading, we hear Satan commenting that Job is not God-fearing for nothing. God had blessed Job and he is safe and secure.

So Satan suggests that Job be put to the test, to put him under fire and see what becomes of his faith in God.

In the gospel, we hear about the disciples arguing among themselves about which of them is the greatest.

Whatever they can say about themselves, the time will come when they will be put to the test, their faith in Jesus will come under fire, and whatever greatness they thought they had vanished in fear.

Whatever we can say about our faith, we also must be prepared for our faith to undergo a baptism of fire, and to be tried and tested.

Let us believe in God's love for us in that He won't try and test us beyond what we can take. God is for us and not against us. When undergoing a baptism of fire, let us stand by God, or we will not stand at all.