Tuesday 1 October 2024

Today is Tuesday the 1st of October, the feast of Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus, in the 26th week of Ordinary Time. Paul Zach sings, ‘Sorrow’s Got A Hold On Me’. As you listen, bring your own sorrows to the Lord today. Sorrow's got a hold on me The shadow is all I see Weighed down, no I can't break free Sorrow's got a hold on me Waters sweeping over me Helpless, and I'm in too deep The flood is overwhelming me Waters sweeping over me O Christ come near Come near to this broken heart of mine To this broken heart of mine Thunder coming down on me Howling, and the wind it screams This storm will blow away with me Thunder coming down on me O Christ come near Come near to this broken heart of mine To this broken heart of mine In the silence of despairing In the waking in the night In the watching and the waiting Stay here by my side In the silence of despairing In the waking in the night In the watching and the waiting Stay here by my side Lord Jesus, come and weep with me Oh, come and weep with me, oh Lord Lord Jesus, come and wait with me Come and wait with me, oh lord Come near Today’s reading is from the Book of Job. Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23 After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. Job said: ‘Let the day perish on which I was born, and the night that said, “A man-child is conceived.” ‘Why did I not die at birth, come forth from the womb and expire? Why were there knees to receive me, or breasts for me to suck? Now I would be lying down and quiet; I would be asleep; then I would be at rest with kings and counsellors of the earth who rebuild ruins for themselves, or with princes who have gold, who fill their houses with silver. Or why was I not buried like a stillborn child, like an infant that never sees the light? There the wicked cease from troubling, and there the weary are at rest. ‘Why is light given to one in misery, and life to the bitter in soul, who long for death, but it does not come, and dig for it more than for hidden treasures; who rejoice exceedingly, and are glad when they find the grave? Why is light given to one who cannot see the way, whom God has fenced in? Today is the feast day of St. Teresa of the Child Jesus. She is known for her “little way” of spiritual childhood, which, despite great suffering, emphasises simplicity, humility, and trust in God's love. Through Job’s lament we are invited to consider our own response to suffering. What is your immediate response to this passage? How does Job’s lament speak to you? ‘Why?’ In times of suffering, this question is often the first in our thoughts and on our lips. Can you recall a time when this was true for you? How did you feel? What was your awareness of God’s presence at that time? As you listen to the passage again, what is your response now? “Why is light given to one who cannot see the way?” St Teresa encourages us to seek God’s presence in our trials and to trust in God’s loving plan. Share with the Lord whatever is on your heart at this time. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.