God's Ways Are Above Our Ways

 In today's first reading, Job 42: 1-3, 5-6, 12-17, Job says to God in the opening lines:  "I know that you can do all things and that no purpose of yours can be hindered. I have dealt with great things that I do not understand; things too wonderful for me, which I cannot know. I had heard of you by word of mouth, but now my eye has seen you. Therefore I disown what I have said, and repent in dust and ashes."

God, we know, can do all things and that no purpose of God's can be hindered.  We may not understand God's purposes but we know, beyond a doubt, that you and I cannot thwart those purposes! What is the purpose of the Covid-19 virus? We do not really know. God does! What is the purpose of so many people being struck down by the virus, incapacitated temporarily by the virus? We do not really know. God does.

May God's will be accomplished in all of the circumstances of our lives! We know that God wills good for all of us.   We also know that God can bring good about in every circumstance, including bringing good out of evil!  May God do so in the current circumstances of this country's life!  May God do so in those who pose a danger to the U.S., whether individuals or communities or other nations!  May God do so in the great and in the small, in the rich and in the poor, in all races, all nationalities, all genders. May God do so in those who are mentally and/or physically ill, in the lame, the blind, and the deaf.

In the words of today's responsorial psalm, Psalm 119, may "the face of the Lord shine" upon all persons.  May each of us, in the words of this same psalmist, be taught "wisdom and knowledge" for the sake of Jesus' name. May each of us realize that it "is good for [us] that [we] have been afflicted, that [we] may learn [God's] statues."  May we "know...that [God's] ordinances are just....[That] all things serve [God].  [We] are your servants; give [us] discernment that [we] may know your decrees. The revelation of your words sheds light, giving understanding to the simple."

Please, Lord, give each of us, an understanding heart, a heart of love, a heart open to Your Word in all of creation, in all of the circumstances of our lives, in the words of others, in our own thoughts and actions. May we, by your grace, become "little ones" to whom "the mysteries of the Kingdom" are revealed (See the Gospel Acclamation of today's liturgy).