God’s questions for Job are more about the basics of how everything moves in His universe.

Just like Job, we have a limited view of things. We might think we understand our lives and problems, but God’s questions show us that there are things much bigger than us—the changing of the earth, the secrets of light and dark, and the vastness of the sea are things we can’t control.

The whole point is to refocus. We are reminded to count on the One who keeps everything together.

When things get too much for us, let’s remember the God who makes mornings and knows the depths of darkness. We can only understand so much, but His power and knowledge know no limits. If we really understand this, it should make us humble, believe God more, trust Him, and depend more on His power every day. 

Randy Borromeo (randyborromeo@gmail.com)

reflect

What parts of your life make you forget how much you depend on God? How can you become more humble and secure in your trust in Him?

Dear God, teach me to trust in You. When overwhelmed with problems, may I rely on You and lean not on my own understanding. Amen.

Guardian Angels, pray for us.

First Reading | Job 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5 (or Exodus 23:20-23)

Job understands his place in creation—he is not in command of all that unfolds. Even if God has permitted his suffering, Job does not rebel against Him. For Job, it is God who holds the power, not himself. He appeals for calm and reason as he seeks a defensible understanding of his situation. Yet, for many, this is not enough. What they demand is complete understanding. Sadly, the nature of suffering often withholds such clarity.

¹ The Lord addressed Job out of the storm and said: ¹² Have you ever in your lifetime commanded the morning and shown the dawn its place ¹³ for taking hold of the ends of the earth, till the wicked are shaken from its surface? ¹⁴ The earth is changed as is clay by the seal, and dyed as though it were a garment; ¹⁵ but from the wicked the light is withheld, and the arm of pride is shattered. ¹⁶ Have you entered into the sources of the sea, or walked about in the depths of the abyss? ¹⁷ Have the gates of death been shown to you, or have you seen the gates of darkness? ¹⁸ Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth? Tell me, if you know all: ¹⁹ Which is the way to the dwelling place of light, and where is the abode of darkness, ²⁰ that you may take them to their boundaries and set them on their homeward paths? ²¹ You know, because you were born before them, and the number of your years is great! ^40:3 Then Job answered the Lord and said: ⁴ Behold, I am of little account; what can I answer you? I put my hand over my mouth. ⁵ Though I have spoken once, I will not do so again; though twice, I will do so no more.   

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 139:1-3, 7-8, 9-10, 13-14 (or Psalm 91:1-2, 3-4, 4-6, 10-11)

R: Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.

¹ O Lord, you have probed me and you know me; ² you know when I sit and when I stand; you understand my thoughts from afar. ³ My journeys and my rest you scrutinize, with all my ways you are familiar. (R) ⁷ Where can I go from your spirit? From your presence where can I flee? ⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I sink to the nether world, you are present there. (R) ⁹ If I take the wings of the dawn, if I settle at the farthest limits of the sea, ¹⁰ even there your hand shall guide me, and your right hand hold me fast. (R) ¹³ Truly you have formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴ I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are your works. (R)

Gospel | Matthew 18:1-5, 10 (or Luke 10:13-16)

God understands how easily we can stray from His path. Out of love, He entrusted each of us with a guardian angel—a heavenly companion meant to guide and protect us on our spiritual journey. This divine gift is always present, yet we remain free to accept or ignore it. Our openness to that guidance often depends on the humility of our hearts and our willingness to follow the path of discipleship.

Gospel Acclamation

Bless the Lord, all you angels, you ministers, who do his will.

¹ The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” ² He called a child over, placed it in their midst, ³ and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. 10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”

Read the Bible in one year! Read PROVERBS 28 - 31 today.

Simple Greatness

I can never get enough of Pinoy neologisms. Today, I get inspiration from the word “d edma.” It is related to “s o p l a .”  Both words are not found in the classic Tagalog-English dictionary. Dedma comes from the carabao English term dead malice, which, in turn, comes from the Tagalog phrase “patay-malisya.” Roughly, the latter Tagalog phrase means to not care, ignore, or downplay something that is initially perceived to be negative or off-putting.

Its opposite, though, is what most people need nowadays—empathy, or the capacity to feel with others and to put oneself in the shoes of the other. 

During our time, children were not supposed to be present amidst adults who are busy talking about adult matters. In the prevailing culture at that time, children ought to be only seen, not heard. They had no place butting in on the conversation. Worse, children ought to not be present where adults were. Children did not count, at least on those occasions mentioned. They were ignored and glossed over.

Today, the disciples posed a question about who was the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus called for a child, placed him in their midst, and, using the child as exhibit A, answered: “Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”

His answer was not about becoming a child, but about becoming like a child. He was extolling not a child per se, but what makes the figure of a child someone you just cannot dismiss, reject, or ignore.

A child, among others, is simple and humble. Nothing is simpler than greatness. To be simple is to be great. 

Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

reflection question

What attributes of a child do you need to imbibe more?

Teach me to be humble and simple like You, Jesus. Amen.

Today, I pray for: _______________________________