5th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year B)
Scriptures: Job 7:1-4, 6-7; Ps. 146: 1-6; 1 Cor. 9:16-19, 22-23; Mk. 1:29-39
The theme of this Sunday is based on human suffering. How do we respond to human suffering? The suffering makes man feel that s/he is limited, fragile and weak. Friedrich Nietzsche had to say this on suffering, “To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in suffering.” This view of life is very pessimistic. It does not allow us to live in happiness in this world. It completely destroys our peace of mind. Every world religion has given its insights on human suffering. Buddhism, one of the ancient religions, has already spoken in a similar line. It says that “to live is to suffer”. It believes that suffering is the most important part of human existence. It comes due to the desire and attachment to this world.
If this was the world of Buddhism on suffering, then Judaism also perceived human suffering from their perspectives. The Jews experienced a lot of human misery and suffering in their history. God is in total control of humans. Everything takes place with His will. Judaism says that human suffering is attributed to God to correct the wrong. Some Jews did not understand the mystery of suffering, they believed suffering came as a result of sin. This serves as an example of how people have differently viewed human sufferings and pain in their lives.
Today’s liturgy helps us to look at the mystery of suffering in the right perspectives. As I mentioned earlier two world views on human sufferings mainly the Buddhist and Judaism; the readings of today’s liturgy too respond to the reality of suffering. The first reading [from the book of Job] depicts typical Jewish thought on the human suffering. The book of Job deals with the question of innocent suffering; it is a didactic poem. The book begins with God allowing Satan to inflict suffering on Job who wants to test Him. A prosperous and God-fearing Job suddenly experienced the successive, catastrophic losses of wealth, family and health.
Although there is no mention of his three friends; Eliphaz, the Temanite, Bildad, the Shuhite and Zophar, the Naamathite came to console Job. They gave him counsel; the righteous never suffers, he must have committed an offence against God, he needs to repent and then God will take his trouble away. As a result, Job becomes pessimistic. He does not find meaning in his life. He wants to die. He curses the day of his birth. This is how Job sinned against God. Job did not get help from his friends but they added more misery to his life. Job sinned against God. He felt that he was sinless. He justified his righteous more than God. The mere words of his friends did not help Job. Job felt abandonment of his friends at the time of his suffering.
The Gospel also depicts human misery. After the service at the Synagogue, Jesus headed to Peter’s house where his mother in law was sick. Many people in the village were sick and possessed. They were also brought to him once the Sabbath was over. This is a summary statement that Mark, the evangelist inserts at important stages in his Gospel. The healing of Peter’s mother in law is complemented by the healing of many from the town. Jesus makes himself available to people. Jesus worked miracles and exorcism not to get famous or for self-glory but to heal the needy and sick people.
The approach of Jesus was simple. He made his healing powers available to others. He basically lived for others. He was compassionate. He never turned down any request. There are many instances where Jesus had compassion on the person. (Mt 9:36; 14:14) He healed all those who came to him. Jesus was loving and forgiving. Jesus was committed to the mission of healing; He healed so many people. The scholars say that one-fifth of the Gospel accounts are devoted to Jesus’ healing ministry, including the circumstances, the methods of healing. The healing accounts are recorded in the Gospel are far greater than any experience recorded in the Gospel. Jesus cured people who possessed, suffering from fever, skin disease, crippled, blind, deaf, dumb, and dead. He used different methods which had human aspect such as touch, command, spit, prayer, etc.
Jesus performed more than 37 miracles in the Gospel. There might be more than recorded in the canonical Gospels. Jesus comes to us in our suffering like a good friend. Job received three friends while he was suffering. Unlike these friends, Jesus not only counsels us in our suffering but also reaches out to us in suffering. He died on the cross to relieve us from the suffering of death.
St. Paul imitated Christ. He completely surrendered himself at the service of the Gospel. His commitment to proclaim Gospel was the utmost priority. He became all things to all so that he may save some more people for Christ. St. Paul also endured suffering to proclaim the Gospel. He gave a list of his hardships. He received five times flogging, thrice beating, once stoning, thrice shipwrecks, etc. He goes on and on. (2 Cor. 11:24 ff) St. Paul also made himself one with his people who suffered in their lives. He became all things to all.
Suffering is an inevitable reality in this world. But Jesus has set an example for us. He reaches out to many who are suffering through his words and deeds. St. Paul imitated him. Are we ready to imitate Christ?
