5^th Sunday in Ordinary Time-B:

I Reading: Job 7: 1-4.6-7: Restlessly fret till twilight falls.

II Reading: 1Corinthians 9:16-19.20-23: I should be punished if did not preach the Gospel.

Gospel: Mark 1:29-39: He cured many who were suffering from diseases of one kind or another.

With the spread of the scientific developments, new discoveries and good education; one may ask to himself or herself; why should man/woman have to suffer, get sick and die? What is the true meaning of suffering in life? We get this answer in today’s first reading taken from the Book of Job.

1.     A problem which Job cannot solve:

As we know Job was a very rich man, he had been blessed with seven sons and three daughters and a lovely wife, he was sincere and honest and righteous man one who always depended on God. But Job least expected, misfortune struck: his children died, his possessions were taken away and what was worse, a repugnant skin-disease covered his body from head to foot. Even his wife turned against him.

Job now put a question to himself which practically everyone asks when afflicted by suffering: Why should God allow these misfortunes to have come upon me? Three friends come to discuss with Job trying to find the answer to that question. They made matter worse. Time and gain Job burst into the same complaint, especially when his suffering became unbearable.

At the end, rather than question God, Job decided to put his trust in him and abandoned himself to his will. In returned for his trust, God gave him back whatever he had lost and more, he became a happy man once again. It was God who led him to come to the right conclusion. This is not the story of a real person Job in life, but God prompted someone to write this book that might help people to behave in the time of suffering the way of Job did: Trusting God and his goodness.

2.     We discover the meaning of suffering through faith in Christ:

Jesus cast a bright over the mystery of suffering. The Gospel of today offers us the picture of an ordinary day in Jesus’ life at the time of his preaching:

Jesus preached: the Good News everywhere

Jesus healed the sick: those who came to him because he had compassion on them and to lead them to witness his wonders to faith in him. The prophecy of Isaiah fulfilled in him as the Messiah (Is 53:4; Mt 8:17).

Jesus prayed: early in the morning in a lonely place before dawn.

Jesus taught us that bitter lesson by himself suffering and dying so that we may learn to suffer and die with him. Wise people and doctors know how to obtain medicines from bitter herbs so also our life should be.

3.     A few points for Christians to keep in mind regarding suffering:

Suffering and death came into the world because of human's disobedient to God's command and due to sin.

a.     Any kind of suffering or sickness is not the punishment of God but God’s glory (Jn 9:2-3).

b.     Suffering is a mystery cannot be explained, some time only God has the reasons for this.

c.      Sickness is meant to bring us closer to God.

d.     Sickness brings God closer to people.

e.      Sickness brings us closer to our brothers and sisters/neighbours.

4.     Our Christian community ought to bestow its love on the sick in their midst: our care should be expressed in deeds and not just in words.

Thought: When a person truly worships the Lord and invites Him into his/her home, the Lord will enter and fellowship therein. He willingly becomes a guest of anyone who extends the invitation.