Reflections for the 26th Week in Ordinary Time, Part 2

Thursday – The Archangels

Today we celebrate the feast of the archangels, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. These great messengers worship continually before God's throne even as they serve Him faithfully by carrying out every task He assigns to them.

Do we do the same? We are called to imitate these archangels. Our worship, too, ought to be constant. We should always recollect that we stand in God's presence, and we should pray to Him frequently throughout the day and keep our minds focused on Him as much as possible. Further, we are called to serve God faithfully in every task He assigns to us. We must determine His will in every situation and then fulfill it as well as we can and always with the help of His grace.

Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, pray for us that we may always share in your worship and service both here on earth and someday forever in Heaven. Amen.

Friday – Hand over Mouth

We have to give Job credit, for he knows when to shut up. God has just been rebuking him rather vigorously with a series of pointed questions. Have you ever walked in the depths of the abyss? Do you know where light and darkness live? Yeah...didn't think so...

Job realizes that he has far overstepped his bounds in his questions and complaints to God, and he stops short. Knowing that he can't answer God's questions, he puts his hand over his mouth and falls silent. He is humbled but in a good way. He has recognized his sin and repented of it. Now he stands quietly and openly before God, waiting in trusting humility for His next move. Job has learned his lesson. It may have taken a little while, but he has passed the test.

Saturday – Restoration

We've followed Job all week, watching as he suffered, wrestled with the question of why, and finally submitted to God in humility and trust. Now we see him restored. And what a restoration it is!

Job's health returns; his property is double what it once was; and he has a new family with seven sons and three beautiful daughters who, unlike other women of their time, actually get to share in their father's estate. Job lives to see his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, his most precious legacy, and he dies at 140 years old, content with his life.

God has made everything good in the end. We must trust that He will always do the same for us if we allow Him to do so.