While I won’t say the Book of Job is my favorite, there are certain parts I really like. You might ask, “Hey Father Leo, why is the Book of Job in the Bible anyway? It’s sooooo depressing! Isn’t scripture supposed to inspire not depress?” Well, yes and no. Scripture bears privileged witness to Revelation and usually that is pretty inspiring. But it also is expressive of the People’s experience of God and the lessons they learn from that encounter. Why is Job in the Bible? Because, quite frankly, sometimes the human experience is not much fun. Who of us, especially in the midst of the present pandemic, has not at one time or another echoed the words of good ol’ Job: “Is not life a drudgery?!” or in the midst of sorrow exclaimed, “I shall never see happiness again!”
Let’s be honest. Life is usually pretty good, but sometimes it really stinks. Wouldn’t you want a God who is present to you not just when life is all sweetness and roses, but especially when you are at your worst?
A careful reading of the book shows that God never abandons Job in his affliction; and, incidentally neither do the three friends of Job who come to comfort him. One notes also that Job never gives up his faith in God and is eventually restored tenfold.
Job is especially relevant to the Christian. The story shows us how God never gives up on us. Sure, usually life is pretty good, but sometimes trial and affliction and even our own sins bring us to our knees. If the Cross teaches us anything, it is that through Christ’s redemptive suffering, God is especially present to us when we are at our worst. For those who persevere to the end, the crown of righteousness awaits.
The friends of Job show us that, as the Body of Christ, we are called to share in the burdens of others. When we feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, clothe the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned, bury the dead,
give alms to the poor, we are heart and arms and hands of Christ reaching out to others in their need.