FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B
Job 7:1-4,6-7
1 Corinthians 9:16-19,22-23
Mark 1:29-39
WE ALL HAVE A DUTY TO ALLEVIATE SUFFERING
Life as we all can testify, is full of ups and downs. One is happy now, and the next moment one is crying. Sometimes we look at other people and think that things are going very well for them. The grass on the other side is not always as green and perfect as we think, until we get close to it.
In the first reading of today, we hear the story of Job which is a very popular one in the bible. Job had everything going well for him, but at a time, he lost everything and began to suffer. The chapter we read today reflects on the issue of human suffering. Everyday of our lives, we struggle to meet the basic needs of life. We work to be paid at the end of the month, we work and sweat in our own private establishments so as to have more from what life has to offer.
Though suffering is part of human nature, it is not the plan and will of God that we should suffer. This is why Jesus, as a human being during his time on earth, did everything possible to save many people from suffering. We see it very clearly in the gospel reading, how Jesus went about preaching and curing all those who were sick. We see how Jesus went to the house of Simon and Andrew and cured Simon's mother in law of her fever. That evening, all those who were suffering from one ailment or the other were all brought to him, and he cured them all.
St Paul in the second reading of today, makes us to understand that saving people from suffering is a collective effort of everyone. Many people are in a position to eradicate suffering, but they do not do so. Some people may not have experienced what it truly means to suffer. It is important that we sometimes experience darkness, so that we will appreciate light. We live in a society where evil thrives more in the midst of suffering. We seem not to have the care, love, compassion and mercy towards people anymore. We may think that we do not have anything to offer to alleviate the suffering of those around us, St Paul makes us to understand that everything has a contribution to make to make others happy. As a preacher of the word of God, Paul did so without asking for a pay. Indeed, true preachers of the word of God cannot be paid in material terms, we can only do our best to support them; their reward is more of a spiritual reward. To assist those who are suffering is not only about money or material things, not everyone has money to offer, one's gifts and talents can also be freely given. Jesus alleviated suffering by his healing ministry, and St Paul preached from place to place to make people know more about Jesus and be healed. Be a source of healing for someone today by contributing meaningfully to their lives. God help us. Amen.
Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP
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