”In all this Job did not sin, nor did he say anything disrespectful of God”….The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away…So be it!

Today at Holy Mass we hear in the first reading from there Book of Job…For those who do not know this story…Job had everything and he was a faithful servant of the Lord….The story today begins with God and Satan having a conversation…..And the LORD said to Satan, "Whence do you come?" Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "From roaming the earth and patrolling it." And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you noticed my servant Job”….To sum up the conversation…God tells Satan how Job is so faithful but Satan says the only reason Job is so faithful is because his life is so good…Job had everything…So Satan tells God…Take everything from him and he will turn on you…God replies……"Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand upon his person." So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD”……..So as the story goes, Job has everything taken from him…His wealth, his children, his home…Everything!….And when it was all said and done Job said these words…."Naked I came forth from my mother's womb, and naked shall I go back again. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD!” In all this Job did not sin, nor did he say anything disrespectful of God”…..So the questions for us today are…Are we detached from the good things of this world?……Do we ground our life upon the “gifts” and not upon the “giver of the gifts”?…….All things will pass away! - But our soul is immortal…Do we “get lost” and lose focus on what should be our primary goal - To get to heaven?…..Do we live solely for the “things of this life and give lip service to the things of heaven”….If we do…We fall into the trap set for us by the devil…”You shall be like God”!

“The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many”

“For those who have been given much…Much will be expected”…Its very easy to get “caught up” in the many good things of this earth….An “easy life” can distract our attention away from God…..There is nothing wrong with wealth and a good life…Its how you use your wealth that determines whether we do the will of God or not…..Do we strive to simply acquire wealth and do not share it?….Do we use our wealth to serve mankind? - First for our family and then for those around us…These are the questions God will ask of us when we stand before him……..Speaking personally, there is nothing more impressive then to meet a very gifted person who uses their gifts to serve others as opposed to keep everything they have for themself - Such a life “screams” of Christ to the world!…I have met many people like that in my life……To tell you about one that comes to mind…..When I was traveling regularly to India I knew a Jesuit Priest from Canada who taught Philosophy at a University in Kolkata…His name was Father Lawrence Abello…Father Abello could have been one of the smartest people I have ever met…He spoke numerous languages, had two PhDs (one in Philosophy and one in Physics), was an inventor with two patents to his name…..If he was not a Catholic Priest there is no doubt in my mind he would have been a multi-millionaire…Instead, he used his gifts to serve the poor and educate others…His example greatly impacted my life…I think about him often…Fr Abello lived his vows of Poverty, Chasity, and Obedience until his death and his life was not easy - He reflected the life of Christ in a very real way….With all that said…Not all of us - Myself included, are as gifted as Fr Lawerence Abello…However, we are all called to use the gifts given to us to serve God and serve our neighbor…When we do this our life is filled with joy and peace…This is the secret to a good life….Those who share what has been given to them thrive!….They are a source of light to others…And those who do not share and view what has been given to them to be only for themself - Their hearts grow cold and everything they have is not appreciated and not enough…We were created to Love God….Serve God…And be with God for all eternity….When we view our life in that context…And share the gifts given to us, first with our family then with those around us….We become the people we were created to be….This is a counter-cultural way to live but make no mistake…Its the only way to live…The happiest people I have ever encountered will tell you…This is “their secret”…And to be honest with you…Its not a secret…God is real and when we do his will…Our life radiates joy and peace to the world!

“Incline your ear to me and hear my word”

Getting back to the first reading from Mass today….Job had everything taken from him…And as the story goes…..Job had more then most…But through it all Job understood that all the gifts given to him were not what was important….What was important was the giver of the gifts and how he used those gifts to serve God and others….This is easier said then done and can only be accomplished by developing a deep interior life and fostering a strong and personal relationship with God…We do that by daily prayer, weekly fasting, and living a Sacramental life….We need to “see” Christ in others…To truly “see” requires grace, it can not be self-manufactured…..But make no mistake…This kind of “sight” is very real…..In the case of Job…”The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away”…But Job did not lose focus…And nor should we…This life is nothing more then a journey back to God….And while we are on this earth, with the time we have been given, each of us as a purpose!….To use what was given to us for the greater glory of God……When we view life in this manner…We will be fulfilled and appreciate everything we have - Not wishing for anything more and be filled with joy and peace

“In all this Job did not sin, nor did he say anything disrespectful of God”….The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away…So be it!