03rd/04th February 2024

Dear Parishioners,

SIN AND SUFFERING

Does God allow or permit sickness and illness? Is sickness, a punishment for sins, by God?

The story of Job, in our first reading today, is an invitation to reflect on the mystery of evil and suffering. It teaches that God is not the cause of evil. He refrains the forces of evil but mysteriously, permits the innocent and righteous to suffer. He directs all things by his providence. 

Like Job, we are to be humble before the mystery of suffering. God permits us to suffer sickness and illness, as a divine discipline for our sins. Sometimes, He permits us to fall sick or suffer to test us, to increase our virtue and to purify our love. Oftentimes, our sickness is as a result of our carelessness, negligence and recklessness.

The Gospel reading of today, shows the practicalities of Jesus’ supreme authority. He casts out unclean spirits, heals the sick and frees the possessed. Whilst Job was full of lamentation, Jesus, on the other hand, was going from village to village, bringing the healing power of God and his divine mercy. He went about establishing the reign of God and bringing the reign of the devil to an end. In his own suffering, in the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus, in humility,  submitted his suffering to the will of his Father. 

What is my attitude towards suffering? Do you approach God, with expectant faith or with sceptical doubt? Do I blame God or invite him into my situation? What is my attitude

towards the sick or the suffering? How much do I appreciate the care and services of care-givers?

Fr. Jerome Odutan.