This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.
Now, perhaps, we can challenge God, even though Job had no right to do so. Where is the home of the light? In the sun, we say, and we can say with some precision how far off it is. The abode of darkness? Outer space, where unlit by a burning ball of gas. Etc.
Perhaps we now have every right to challenge Him, for we know so much, and we are able to manipulate matter and energy as suits us.
To the contrary, on two counts:
1. Imagine living in a world like Job’s where the cause of everything is unknown and virtually unexplored. With all the evil and chaos in the natural world and the human world, an almost inescapable conclusion is that evil powers are as strongly at work as good in the course of the cosmos. And indeed, such was the rational conclusion of many primitive peoples. It took immense faith to believe in a good, providential, loving God as sole sovereign of the universe. Or rather, it took revelation–God’s personal revelation of Himself to humans–and then the faith of others in the word of those receivers of revelation.
Today, even though chaos remains very present to our perception, we have plumbed the depths of biological, geological, physical reality. We see the intricate and awe-inspiring interplay down to the cellular and molecular level of balanced, complementary forces that constitute a universe of order and design. We see the very fingerprints of God.
All the more, then, should we humble ourselves before Him as Job did, and place our destiny with all our hearts in the hands of this good God, who ordered creation so majestically, and who continues providing despite our sin.
2. The more honest scientists discover about reality, the more they realize they don’t know. The more honest engineers manipulate matter and energy, the more they realize how powerless they are before it, and how mysterious and mighty these natural forces are. The more doctors are able to heal, the more they realize that they are not the masters of life and death. God could well challenge us as He challenged Job: Have you ever traversed the sun, or traveled the expanse of the universe? Do you know what drives the smallest of material particles? Can you cure every disease or stop the advent of new maladies? Tiny man on earth, are you master of the vast universe?
And we would need to respond, like Job: “Behold, I am of little account; what can I answer you? I put my hand over my mouth. Though I have spoken once, I will not do so again; though twice, I will do so no more.”
Today is the memorial of the Guardian Angels. In today’s gospel, Jesus makes an argument for the need to hold children in high regard: “Their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.” Perhaps a child seems of little importance, but each has been assigned one of the noblest creatures, an angel, to look after his/her every step. We must be humble before the Almighty. But it is comforting to know what Job knew: As tiny and insignificant as we are, God places all the focus of His loving Providence upon us, and we can rest in the palm of His hand.
Ideas for conversation with the Lord: Dialogue with Jesus about the awesomeness of creation, and how little we humans really have our heads wrapped around it. Ask Him why we earthlings are of such account to God–consider with Him our beautiful biology, and our unique attribute as free, intelligent beings. Ask Him why He Himself became man, and why He died for us. Pledge again your trust in Him; abandon your life into His hands. For despite our technology, when we take a step back, we realize we were never meant to solve the puzzle of our welfare and destiny on our own.
Follow the Author on Twitter:Follow @mvhaywilliams