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LESSONS OF JOB
(Part 28)
SUFFERING AND REDEMPTION
November
26, 2009
If you thought the devastation of Ondoy was bad, look at Job. If you
think the affliction of Job was severe, look to Jerusalem. If you see
that the destruction of Jerusalem was lamentable, look to the end of
time.
Our readings today bring us to the end times. Both the book of Daniel
and this section of Luke (21:20-28) are apocalyptic, that is, having
to do with the end times. But they also have to do with the various
important aspects of the theme the Lord has given us for 2010.
A common thread is the awesome majesty of God. King Darius
recognized God as “the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom
shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be without end.” (Dn
6:27b). Jesus himself describes his second coming as “coming in a
cloud with power and great glory.” (Lk 21:27).
Because of that, we have our proper posture, which is awe or
reverential fear. King Darius, ruler of the whole world at that
time, decreed that “the God of Daniel is to be reverenced and
feared” (Dn 6:27a). Jesus speaks of awesome “signs in the sun, the
moon, and the stars, and .... the roaring of the sea and the waves”
(Lk 21:25), of “the powers of the heavens (being) shaken.” (Lk
21:26b).
But why do calamities and affliction come upon us? First, as
punishment for sin. Jesus says that those “days are the time of
punishment when all the scriptures are fulfilled.” (Lk 21:22).
God’s justice and righteousness will be satisfied. If evil triumphs
today, at the end of time “a terrible calamity will come upon the
earth and a wrathful judgment upon this people.” (Lk 21:23b). But
second, due to sin or not, affliction comes as purification. This is
for sinners, but at times, as in the case of Job, seemingly especially
for good people. God calls us to holiness, and affliction is what
strongly propels us in this direction.
And thus we see that suffering is redemptive.
What then should our proper posture be?
We recognize who our God truly is. He is just and righteous. “He is
a deliverer and savior” (Dn 6:28a). “God indeed is my savior”
(Is 12:2a). God loves us, proving this by sending His very own Son to
suffer and die for us on the cross, thus winning for us our salvation.
If God has given us His very own Son, He will not withhold any good
thing from us. So we can look to Him, as our deliverer, to deliver us
not just from our sins but also from our suffering.
If that is the case, then we trust in God. Daniel was removed from the
lions’ den, “unhurt because he trusted in his God.” (Dn 6:24b).
We trust in God’s love for us, in His great plan for us, in His
power to deliver us, in His faithfulness to our covenant. We might
face great trials for the moment, but in the end, God redeems us.
In trusting God, we are able to endure our suffering. In fact, we
rejoice in seeing, or knowing, that suffering leads to redemption.
Daniel was attacked by the supervisors and satraps (the high
government officials) and they caused his being “cast into the
lions’ den.” (Dn 6:17a). But Daniel was miraculously protected by
God from any harm. “This gave the king great joy.” (Dn 6:24a). As
we see that the suffering that pains us actually leads to deliverance,
redemption and holiness, then we too ought to rejoice.
As we know that God is the Almighty, that only He can fulfill our
lives, that we are called to turn away from sin and become holy, that
He will come again in glory at the end of time for the final judgment,
then we must proclaim Him to the world. We must evangelize. And those
we evangelize become evangelizers themselves, in ever widening
circles, until a vast army is proclaiming Christ throughout all the
earth.
Even King Darius, after witnessing the miracle of Daniel’s
redemption, became an evangelizer. He “wrote to the nations and
peoples of every language, wherever they dwell on the earth: ‘All
peace to you! I decree that throughout my royal domain the God of
Daniel is to be reverenced and feared” (Dn 6:26-27a).
The work of evangelization is intended to win the world for Christ. It
is to prepare a people that will be faithful to God’s call and be
among the redeemed when Christ returns in glory. We strive to give our
all, reaching out to as many as we can. If possible, we look to all of
creation and all the earth praising and exalting God above all forever
(Dn 3:68-74).
In this difficult and challenging work, we continue to trust in Jesus,
who commissioned us to evangelize. Know that Jesus remains with us
till the end of time. And know that he sends his angels to assist us
and protect us.[1] Daniel said: “My God has sent his
angel and closed the lions’ mouths” (Dn 6:23a).
Ondoy, Job, Jerusalem, the end times. All have many lessons to teach
us.
If you think you have suffered, think again. Jesus describes the end
times in these words: “desolation, ... time of punishment, ... woe,
... a terrible calamity, ... a wrathful judgment, ... trampled
underfoot, ... dismay, ... powers of the heavens shaken” (Lk
21:20,22-26). No wonder some “people will die of fright in
anticipation of what is coming upon the world” (Lk 21:26a)!
But listen. Such apocalyptic images and writing are meant to encourage
you and to inspire you! What? Yes! Look at the total picture. “But
when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.” (Lk 21:28). Our suffering is
just a prelude to redemption. Of that, we are assured by Jesus
himself, who himself already showed us the way.
We will suffer in the world. We will be afflicted, oppressed and
persecuted. But such is the privilege of following in the footsteps of
our Master and Savior Jesus. We endure for a time, but we look to
heavenly bliss for all eternity.
[1]
There are seven archangels, and three of them are mentioned in the
Bible. One is Raphael, mentioned in the book of Tobit. The other two
are Gabriel and Michael, mentioned in the book of Daniel (Dn 8:16,
10:13) and in the New Testament. Gabriel of course is well known as
the angel who appeared to Mary and announced the coming birth of Jesus
(Lk 1:26-38). Michael is prominent in the book of Revelation as the
angel who fought and defeated Satan (Rev 12:7-9). Michael is the angel
who is the protector of God’s people (Dn 12:1a).
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