Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, through today’s first reading, in the poignant words of Job, we glimpse the deep anguish and longing of a soul struggling under heavy trials. “Pity me, pity me, O you my friends,” Job cries, recognized in his suffering yet steadfast in his faith. He expresses a profound desire not only to be comforted but for his words to be “inscribed in a record” – to have his truth proclaimed eternally. In the midst of his suffering, Job affirms his hope: “I know that my Vindicator lives.” His anticipation of seeing God with his “own eyes” serves as a testament to an intimate relationship with the Divine, even amid despair.
This brings us to our second reading from the Gospel of Luke, where Jesus appoints seventy-two disciples to go forth, proclaiming the Kingdom of God. Jesus sends them with a clear directive: the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. His mission is urgent, compelling these messengers to invoke peace, heal the sick, and announce the arrival of God’s Kingdom. Yet at the same time, Jesus prepares them for rejection: “Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you…” Even in the face of opposition, they are to shake the dust from their feet and declare that the Kingdom of God is at hand.
In these passages, we see how God chooses to reveal Himself to humanity. He does not remain distant but instead enters our experience, speaking through the suffering of Job and the commission of Christ's disciples who will encounter hardships. God invites us into a relationship marked by both revelation and mission—a relationship which is raw and real. Each of us is called not only to encounter His love and mercy in our lives but also to share that life-giving message with others, embodying the peace and healing of Christ.
Therefore, we must not forget that sharing God's message often comes with challenges. Like the seventy-two disciples, we may find that our efforts to spread the Good News will sometimes be met with resistance or outright rejection. For many of us, this can be one of the most difficult aspects of our faith journey. We encounter skepticism, indifference, or even hostility when we attempt to articulate our beliefs, share our experiences, or live out our values.
So, how do we respond to this reality? First, we need to remember that even Jesus faced rejection. He was born to a people who largely did not recognize Him, and ultimately, He was crucified. Our invitation to bear witness to God’s revelation does not exempt us from the pain of misunderstanding or rejection; rather, it provides us a model for how to live through it. When we face such trials, we must cling to our knowledge of God’s love, as Job did, and remember that our identity and mission rest firmly in Christ Crucified, not in the acceptance of others.
Moreover, we can find encouragement in the way Jesus directs His disciples to respond to rejection – they are to shake off the dust from their feet. This symbolizes a purification not just of themselves but also a release of the burden of disappointment. It is a call to move forward in faith, knowing that God’s Kingdom is constantly at work, even if we cannot see it or feel its effect in the moment.
As we consider our own lives, let us ask ourselves: How are we being called to participate in God’s mission? Where might we be invited to share the truth of His love and mercy, even when it goes unrecognized or unwelcomed? How can our own experiences of God’s revelation in life, both joyous and painful, inspire us to embody that message for others?
May the Lord continue to bless you always. Our Lady, Queen of those who suffer for the sake of the Kingdom and out of love for Christ, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Amen.
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