Daily Catholic Lectio. Fri, 4 Oct ’24. Surrendering before God’s omnipotence

Daily Catholic Lectio

Fri, 4 Oct ‘24

XXVI Week in Ordinary Time, Friday

Saint Francis of Assisi, Memoria

Job 38:1, 12-21. 40:3-4. Luke 10:13-16

Surrendering before God’s omnipotence

Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the theme of surrendering before God’s omnipotence. In both the story of Job and Jesus’ words in the Gospel of Luke, we are reminded that God’s power, wisdom, and authority surpass all human understanding. In light of His infinite power, our response must be one of humble surrender and trust, acknowledging our limitations and relying on God’s sovereign will in our lives.

1. Acknowledging God’s infinite power

In the first reading from Job, God responds to Job out of a whirlwind, questioning him about the mysteries of creation. “Have you commanded the morning since your days began?” (Job 38:12). God asks Job a series of questions about the earth, the sea, the dawn, and the universe, illustrating how little human beings can comprehend the full scope of His work. These questions remind Job – and us – that God’s omnipotence extends over all creation, from the smallest detail to the vastness of the cosmos.

We are often tempted to question God when faced with suffering or confusion, much like Job did. But God’s words remind us that He is in control of all things, even those beyond our understanding. Our task is to acknowledge God’s infinite power and wisdom, surrendering our need for control and trusting that He knows what is best, even when we don’t understand His ways.

2. Humility before God’s greatness

Job’s response to God’s powerful questioning is one of humility and surrender: “I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth” (Job 40:4). Here, Job recognizes his own limitations in the face of God’s greatness. He doesn’t argue or demand answers anymore; instead, he chooses silence and humility, acknowledging that God’s wisdom far surpasses his own.

Job’s humility offers us a model for how we should approach God’s omnipotence. There are moments in life when we need to stop striving for answers and simply trust in God’s authority. True surrender involves recognizing our smallness before God’s greatness, acknowledging that His ways are higher than our ways, and accepting His will for our lives.

3. Responding to God’s call with repentance

In the Gospel, Jesus laments over the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum because they failed to repent despite witnessing His mighty works. Jesus’ message is clear: witnessing God’s power should lead us to conversion and repentance. To reject His call to repentance is to reject God Himself. Jesus warns that the consequences of such rejection will be severe.

Just as Job came to a moment of repentance and surrender, so too are we called to respond to God’s power with humility and a changed heart. When we experience God’s presence in our lives, we are invited to surrender not only our understanding but also our will. Repentance is the fruit of acknowledging God’s omnipotence, and it requires us to turn away from our self-reliance and pride, placing our trust fully in God’s mercy and love.

On Saint Francis of Assisi

Today, we commemorate Saint Francis of Assisi, who felt one with the entire cosmos. May he inspire in us the same eco-sensitivity. We are part of the Nature around us, and this thought makes us humble. We also shall imitate the Saint in his joy, contentment, and internal freedom.

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The ‘pilgrims of hope’ know that surrendering before God’s omnipotence is the pathway to true wisdom and peace. (Jubilee 2025 AD, bite 216)

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy