Fifth Sunday In Ordinary Time (B)

ONE OF THOSE DAYS

We have surely heard the phrase, and probably voiced it ourselves: "It's been just one of those days." Those are the days that seem almost endless, when pain is pounding and unabating, when grief seems to erode our very soul or when worry or apprehension feels as though it is consuming us. On days like those, we cannot see beyond, we cannot think or plan, and we may well fail to take basic care of ourselves or those who need us. Those are sickening days when we come close to panic, when the blood is pounds and the heart races.

In our first reading today, Job is telling his friends that, for him, it has been "one of those days". He has sunk very low, and uses words like hard service, labor, slavery, emptiness and misery. If you have been there, you know exactly what he means and you can certainly identify with his feelings and his plight. But is this what we came to today's Liturgy to hear?

Job's sufferings and emotional turmoil are not to be dismissed; and if today we experience a fraction of his sufferings, we may well resonate with, if not take comfort from him. But while we find some solace in identifying with the proverbial suffering of Job, we are also challenged to remember his fortitude and faith, and to pray for a portion of them for ourselves. If we keep faith with God, as Job did, we will also find great comfort in some of the other readings for today.

St Paul is also thinking and speaking about vulnerability, but in his case it is chosen rather than imposed. He knows from experience that there can be real strength in vulnerability (literally "the ability or exposure to being wounded"), because such exposure also makes it possible for us to be embraced and healed. The invulnerable person seeks protection within a suit of armor or something similar: such a one attempts to become impervious and untouchable. But Paul knows that he must take risks, because he is duty-bound to proclaim the gospel and witness to the risen Christ. This will not always meet with approval or prove to be an easy life. Yet rather than striking an authoritarian pose, or adopting a position of power and pomp, he willingly undertakes to face whatever opposition may come his way. His vulnerability will prove to be his strength.

As so often happens, the gospel reading takes something from, and adds something to the first two readings. Struck by Jesus' healing power, Peter is 'thinking big'; he imagines he can become an agent or manager for Jesus; he wants Jesus to become a celebrity, a star! But Jesus has other, more modest and more Godly, ideas. He will spend himself in service of the basileia, God's realm, and not present himself as the center of attraction. He will endure what Mark says disciples should endure, persecution (Mk 10:30) and the cross, suffering and service, rather than sensationalism or celebrity.

What can we take from today's liturgy to sustain us through the week ahead? We can take to heart God's promise of comfort, after the examples of Job and Paul. We can try to proceed like Jesus, who was faithfully obedient to the will of his abba for the good of God's people. As he walks by faith, and not simply by sight, so shall we. We can remember to keep faith, and remember that although faith is God's gift, it is ours for the asking, particularly when we are struggling.

And if, by God's grace, we are already at ease and at peace today, we might pray for someone we know who is not - and perhaps for ourselves, against the day when we will need all the patience and fortitude of Job.

Like Job, and Paul, and ourselves, Jesus knew what it was to have "one of those days." When we struggle through such taxing and wearying challenges, the memory of those who went before us, marked with the sign of faith can be a great and welcome encouragement. And as we in turn attempt, gently and faithfully, to live through them, perhaps we might leave a trace of encouragement for our struggling sisters and brothers.

By Anthony Gittins, C.S.Sp., Professor of Mission and Culture

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