Sunday Reflections: Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

Job 7:1-4, 6-7; 1Cor 9:16-19, 22-23; Mk 1:29-39

image courtesy: Mangalore diocese

This real story is said of the German concentration camp during the Second World War.  In the camp were a group of rabbis and learned Jews along with persons who had been in high standing prior to their arrest.  They had to work for six and half days every week but on Sunday afternoons they were left in relative peace. One such afternoon some of the learned Jews in their despair decided to put God on trial. The rabbis acted as judges and witnesses came forward for defence and for the prosecution.  The case for the prosecution was overwhelming. They had only to look around them: they were being wiped out as a race; many of their families had already died in the gas chambers.  They were unable to look for their dear ones. How could a good God allow this to happen? The judges, despite a stout defence had no difficulty in reaching the verdict.  God was guilty as charged, guilty of abandoning his chosen people. Silence fell upon the court. Then an elderly Jew got to his feet and said: “Nevertheless, let us not forget…it is time for our Evening Prayers.”

Believe it or not! suffering is inevitable in life. In fact, all grapple with the reality of suffering. In the face of suffering, we are powerless and we try to find meaning in it. In the first reading Job feeling abandoned by friends and by God when confronted with sufferings, offers the dark reflection on the world.  The story of Job expresses a typical human problem that bad things happen to good people. The answer to this problem is in Christ. 

In the gospel we have the hectic time table of Jesus. He begins his day with His Abba and goes on doing the Will of His Father. Jesus came as the redeemer and the conqueror of suffering and death. He does not limit his healing mission to the physical sufferings alone but seeks to heal the whole person. The inner healing of the person and the forgiveness of sins is the mission of Jesus. God intervenes in human situation to alleviate suffering, yet he permits suffering to take place. 

We must understand that sufferings often motivate us to seek God, and as they draw closer to Him they can understand Him better. Suffering purifies us. Jesus came to this world to purify us. In today’s gospel we understand that Jesus is concerned with the problem of suffering in all its forms because He cures people who are afflicted in various ways. Even Himself has to undergo terrible sufferings. It seems that all the sufferings of Jesus where those inflicted on Him from the outside like: ridicule, insult, persecution, cruelty of His enemies and the unfaithfulness of His friends. In his suffering we can find meaning in our suffering. 

As a Christian prayer life is a must to understand our life and suffering holistically. I would propose a simple five figure prayer method. 

The thumb is the finger closest to our hearts, reminding us to pray for our families and loved ones. The pointing finger reminds us to pray for those who point and lead: the Pope, the bishops, priests, religious brothers and sisters, parents and teachers. The middle finger is the biggest and tallest finger reminding us to pray for our leaders and those who govern us. The ring finger is the weakest finger, reminding us to pray for those who are weak like: the sick, the poor, the lost, the dependents and sinners. Finally is the small finger, which reminds us to pray for the children and all the “little ones” in the world today. 

Let us be like Jesus our master who embraced human suffering with the power his deep and intimate connection with his Abba.  

(You are welcome to add your reflections and comments below)

Happy Sunday