MEANING IN SERVICE OF OTHERS
In life, someone argues, there is meaning only in the service of others. This is because there is an absurdity that comes with life. When this sense of absurdness engulfs us with a sense of uncertainty and insecurity life becomes meaningless. A moment like this we can only find fulfilment and a sense of meaningfulness in the service of others through God.
OUR THEME
As we get closer to the Season of Lent, the readings of this Sunday talk about the human sufferings and the liberation that comes from Christ Jesus. The readings touch human brokenness, tragedies, pains, or sorrows and the timely intervention of God.
A sense of dedication to God or divine cause is one of the life-driven purposes for earthly human existence. This is a long with a sense of personal closeness to God in solitude, meditation and prayer. This quiet and profound moment orders our sense of worries, cares or anxieties to tranquillity and calmness.
We need a sense of prayer to overcome our weariness and recharge of strength and fortitude in God especially in this crisis moment of covid-19. Our victory is not in waiting for the moment to pass by but in developing a sense of deep prayer life through a quiet moment with God.
FIRST READING JOB 7:1-4, 6-7
The Book of Job is one of the most-read pieces of literature of the Bible. It addresses the problem of evil and human sufferings in the world and its main theme is against the ancient mentality that human sufferings are due to human sins.
God did not only refute this theological error or mindset belief of the biblical Old Testament time in Job’s friends, Job’s society and Job himself but also radically change our perception of evil, sufferings and sins in the world.
Practically, the presence of evil or sufferings is independent of human sins. If not why did Jesus Christ, the Son of God had to suffer?
This reading question today: “is not man’s life on earth a drudgery? Life is full of toil, hardship and without happiness or meaning. Yet, the Job´s dilemma was not without solution even though he sounded helpless and hopeless. There is meaningfulness in life when it is centre on or in God.
The psalmist in the psalm of today: Ps. 146 invites us to Praise the Lord who heals the broken-hearted. Especially in the valley of tear called life or earth.
SECOND READING 1 CORINTHIANS 9:16-19, 22-23
St. Paul talks about duty and obligation to the Gospel which implies a tough life and sacrifice that could be considered as human sufferings, amidst the presence of evil that is opposed to the Good News.
In this way, Paul makes sense of the absurdity of life in the light of preaching and living the gospel. Loving service to humanity and all to give a concrete meaning to life without purpose if not in God and Christ Jesus.
THE GOSPEL: MARK 1:29-39
Jesus in the gospel of Mark gave the absolute solution and deeper meaning to the senselessness, hopelessness and absurdness of his time. The gospel life adds means and sense to life, besides living it and transmitting it in loving service to others. The life of service to all is everything that gives meanings and senses to human life and Christian life or faith. In all circumstances of life, life gains meanings through the service of others.
In the Gospel also Jesus charismatically embarked on preaching the Good News amidst all odds of evil. He lives the moment liberating all who came in contact with him of the human sufferings healing and casting out evil and its spirits. Especially the evil that torments our inner peace and our well-being spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically.
Most importantly, Jesus taught how to recharge or refill our inner strength through life weariness that is always inevitable. A moment of prayer, of solitude and meditation just to be alone with God.
OUR ACTUAL SITUATION TODAY
As this anxious time of the covid-19 prolongs and we are all fatigue and drained spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically and financially. If there is any that energize or empower is keep a sense of equilibrium through the quiet moment before and with God. Jesus and Job taught us this today.
OUR PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, the whole purpose of your life is to preach the Kingdom, to proclaim the Good News: of God´s love for us and invites us to share this life through loving service of self-donating our lives to you and for others. Help us with the loving grace to serve you and others without counting the cost or heeding the losses incurred.
Lord, how often have we been tempted to stick to the hunting shadow of generational curses, sins, and bad luck, or deny your mercy that our sufferings, pains and situations are as a result of our sins. Or even living fear rather than living by faith in a strong divine consciousness that even evil seem to be pressing on all sides. May we learn to trust in your loving and liberating presence.
Help us like Job, Paul, and You to understand that the presence of evil means nothing to one living in God and that the human limitations-sins are not responsible for human sufferings because your INFINITE MERCY overrides them all. Amen
