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The
highest courage is to dare to be yourself in the face of adversity,
choosing right over wrong, ethics over convenience, and truth over
popularity.
Travel the path of integrity without looking back, for THERE IS
NEVER A WRONG TIME TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
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Bishop Soc Villegas
25 July 2007
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LESSONS OF JOB
(Part 16)
RIGHTEOUSNESS AND AFFLICTION
We continue with lessons of
Job with today's readings.
Given the havoc wreaked by typhoon Ondoy, our weather forecasters are
more keen on being able to give accurate forecasts, so as to prepare
people especially with potential heavy rains and flooding. In a similar
setting in today's gospel reading, Jesus asks a question: "You
hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and
the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time?" (Lk
12:56). The world seems to be highly advanced as to science and weather
forecasting, but is unable to read the signs of the times. The world is
veering into destruction, has entered into the end times, but people go
on their merry ways, unmindful of the disaster that can befall them.
This situation connects to Jesus' second question: "Why do you not
judge for yourselves what is right?" (Lk 12:57). Jesus calls people
to live lives of righteousness, but they seem either unable to
comprehend or unwilling to obey. Even for those who are already renewed,
they still struggle with becoming righteous in conduct. One major reason
is the effect of original sin, which is the flesh, a tendency in us to
sin. "For I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my
flesh. The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not. For I do
not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want." (Rom
7:18-19). Even for those who want to do good or be righteous, they
"discover the principle that when (they) want to do right, evil is
at hand." (Rom 7:21). They know what is right, but they still sin.
There is an intense inner struggle. "For I take delight in the law
of God, in my inner self, but I see in my members another principle at
war with the law of my mind, taking me captive to the law of sin that
dwells in my members." (Rom 7:22-23).
Are we then in a hopeless situation? By ourselves the answer would
be yes. We are slaves to sin. "Miserable one that I am! Who will
deliver me from this mortal body? (Rom 7:24). But there is hope, because
there is a savior. The answer is Jesus. We have already been delivered
by Jesus on the cross. He has won for us our salvation. We are now his
slaves and no longer under bondage to sin. "Thanks be to God
through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Rom 7:25a).
But the struggle continues. Having been redeemed by Jesus, we can live
righteous lives. But being still influenced by the flesh, we can still
sin. We know that Jesus has saved us, but our body is at times weak.
There is a conflict between the mind and the flesh. How can our unruly
flesh be tamed? One major way is through affliction. "It is good
for me to be afflicted, in order to learn your laws." (Ps 119:71).
Affliction brings discipline. Affliction purifies. Affliction makes us
turn to God in our pain. Affliction moves us to cling to God who remains
as the only one able to bring relief and consolation and restoration.
Affliction convicts us of what is important in life and what our true
priorities ought to be. "Before I was afflicted I went astray"
(Ps 119:67a). Suffering caused by affliction is thus redemptive.
We have already been redeemed by Jesus. He calls us to live lives of
righteousness. He is committed to teach us his ways through his laws. We
must simply desire to obey. In God's commands we trust (Ps 119:66b). In
God's word we hope (Ps 119:74b). In God's teaching is our delight
(Ps 119:70b). And it is God's word that helps us endure. "Had your
teaching not been my delight, I would have perished in my
affliction." (Ps 119:92).
The Lord has much to teach us, as He leads us on the path of
righteousness. Along that path will be affliction and suffering, as that
path is the way of the cross. But along that path as well is our
redemption. Let us then joyfully continue to learn the lessons of Job.
God bless you all.
frank
(October 23, 2009)
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