Embrace Humility, Trust in God

Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the themes of humility, human frailty, and the infinite power and wisdom of God. They lead us through the deep struggles of human suffering and the longing for answers, into a profound revelation of divine strength that surpasses all understanding. Through Job’s trials, the lamentations of the Psalmist, and Jesus’ teachings on childlike humility, we are called to acknowledge our limitations and seek God’s mercy.

The thematic connection in today’s readings revolves around humility before God. In Job, we see a man who suffers greatly yet recognizes that he is powerless before the Almighty. In Psalm 88, the psalmist pours out his heart in anguish, wondering if God hears him, yet clinging to faith despite his suffering. Finally, in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches that true greatness is found not in status or power, but in humility and becoming like a child. Each of these readings highlights a different facet of what it means to humble oneself before God, trust in His will, and embrace His grace.

The cultural and religious background of today’s readings reflects a world where suffering was often interpreted as a punishment for sin. Job, however, challenges this worldview, showing that suffering can also be a test of faith, a theme that resonates throughout the Bible. The Psalmist, like Job, cries out in despair, feeling distant from God yet continuing to pray, while the Gospel offers hope: the key to the Kingdom of Heaven is not found in wealth, power, or status, but in humility, vulnerability, and trust.

First Reading: Job 9:1-12, 14-16

There Is No Mediator

The Book of Job is one of the most profound explorations of suffering and divine justice in the Old Testament. Job is a righteous man who faces immense suffering, losing his wealth, his children, and his health. His friends insist that his suffering must be a result of sin, yet Job knows he has done nothing wrong. Today’s passage comes from Job’s response to his friends. He acknowledges that no one can stand before God in righteousness, not even him. This response reveals Job’s profound understanding of God’s greatness and human frailty, themes that are central to this book.

Job 9:1-12, 14-16
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

Job Replies: There Is No Mediator
9 Then Job answered:
² “Indeed I know that this is so;
    but how can a mortal be just before God?
³ If one wished to contend with him,
    one could not answer him once in a thousand.
⁴ He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength
—who has resisted him, and succeeded?—
⁵ he who removes mountains, and they do not know it,
    when he overturns them in his anger;
⁶ who shakes the earth out of its place,
    and its pillars tremble;
⁷ who commands the sun, and it does not rise;
    who seals up the stars;
⁸ who alone stretched out the heavens
    and trampled the waves of the Sea;
⁹ who made the Bear and Orion,
    the Pleiades and the chambers of the south;
¹⁰ who does great things beyond understanding,
    and marvelous things without number.
¹¹ Look, he passes by me, and I do not see him;
    he moves on, but I do not perceive him.
¹² He snatches away; who can stop him?
    Who will say to him, ‘What are you doing?’

¹⁴ How then can I answer him,
    choosing my words with him?
¹⁵ Though I am innocent, I cannot answer him;
    I must appeal for mercy to my accuser.
¹⁶ If I summoned him and he answered me,
    I do not believe that he would listen to my voice.

Detailed Exegesis:

Job 9:2 – “Indeed I know that this is so; but how can a mortal be just before God?”
Job’s opening statement reveals his acceptance of the fact that no human being can claim to be righteous before God. This verse sets the tone for the rest of his response, which is filled with awe and reverence for God’s power. The Catholic Church teaches that human beings, because of original sin, are incapable of achieving righteousness on their own. St. Paul echoes this sentiment in Romans 3:23, where he states, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 405) reminds us that only through God’s grace and mercy can we be justified.

Job 9:3 – “If one wished to contend with him, one could not answer him once in a thousand.”
Here, Job emphasizes the impossibility of standing before God in a contest of righteousness or intellect. Even if someone tried to argue their case, they would fail to answer even a fraction of God’s questions. This reflects a deep recognition of God’s wisdom, which surpasses human understanding. St. Augustine teaches that God’s knowledge is perfect and eternal, while ours is limited and temporal (City of God, XI.21).

Job 9:4-8 – “He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength—who has resisted him, and succeeded? He who removes mountains, and they do not know it; who overturns them in his anger; who shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars tremble; who commands the sun, and it does not rise; who seals up the stars; who alone stretched out the heavens and trampled the waves of the Sea;”
These verses offer a powerful description of God’s omnipotence. Job points to the natural world—mountains, the earth, the sun, the stars, the sea—as evidence of God’s control over creation. This imagery echoes the creation accounts in Genesis, where God brings order to chaos and creates the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1). The Catechism teaches that creation is a reflection of God’s glory and His providence (CCC 295-301). The reference to God “trampling the waves of the Sea” may also foreshadow Jesus walking on water, demonstrating His divine authority over nature (Matthew 14:22-33).

Job 9:9-12 – “Who made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the chambers of the south; who does great things beyond understanding, and marvelous things without number. Look, he passes by me, and I do not see him; he moves on, but I do not perceive him. He snatches away; who can stop him? Who will say to him, ‘What are you doing?’”
Job points to the constellations as further evidence of God’s creative power. He also expresses the mystery of God’s ways, acknowledging that God moves and acts in ways beyond human perception. This idea is central to Catholic theology: we cannot fully understand God’s plan, but we can trust that He is always at work in the world. As St. John Paul II said, “God’s ways are not our ways, but they are always for our good.” Even when we do not perceive His presence, we can trust in His providence.

Job 9:14-16 – “How then can I answer him, choosing my words with him? Though I am innocent, I cannot answer him; I must appeal for mercy to my accuser. If I summoned him and he answered me, I do not believe that he would listen to my voice.”
Job acknowledges his powerlessness before God. Even though he believes he is innocent, he knows that he cannot argue his case before God. His only hope is to appeal for mercy. This is a profound lesson in humility. The Catechism teaches that God’s mercy is available to all who seek it (CCC 1847), but it requires an acknowledgment of our need for His grace. Job’s recognition of his dependence on God’s mercy is a model for us all.

Reflection:

Job’s humility in the face of suffering is a powerful reminder of our own need for humility before God. In moments of trial, we may be tempted to demand answers from God or insist that we deserve better. But Job shows us a different path: one of trust, humility, and a deep awareness of our own limitations. How do we approach God in times of suffering? Do we try to argue our case, or do we trust in His wisdom and appeal for His mercy? This reading invites us to reflect on our relationship with God and our need to rely on His grace.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 88:10-15

A Cry from the Depths

Psalm 88 is one of the most sorrowful psalms in the Bible. It is a lament, a cry from a place of deep suffering and despair. The psalmist feels abandoned by God, yet continues to cry out to Him, day after day. This psalm reflects the human experience of feeling distant from God, yet still clinging to hope. It is a powerful expression of faith in the midst of suffering, and it resonates deeply with those who have experienced periods of spiritual dryness or darkness.

Psalm 88:10-15
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

¹⁰ Do you work wonders for the dead?
    Do the shades rise up to praise you?Selah
¹¹ Is your steadfast love declared in the grave,
    or your faithfulness in Abaddon?
¹² Are your wonders known in the darkness,
    or your saving help in the land of forgetfulness?
¹³ But I, O Lord, cry out to you;
    in the morning my prayer comes before you.
¹⁴ O Lord, why do you cast me off?
    Why do you hide your face from me?
¹⁵ Wretched and close to death from my youth up,
    I suffer your terrors; I am desperate.

Detailed Exegesis:

Psalm 88:10-12 – “Do you work wonders for the dead? Do the shades rise up to praise you? Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon? Are your wonders known in the darkness, or your saving help in the land of forgetfulness?”
The psalmist asks a series of rhetorical questions, wondering if God’s wonders and love can reach into the realm of the dead. In the Old Testament, the afterlife was often viewed as a shadowy existence, where people were cut off from the land of the living and from God’s blessings. The psalmist’s questions reflect his fear that if he dies, he will no longer experience God’s love and mercy. In the light of the New Testament, however, we know that through Jesus Christ, God’s love extends even into death. As the Catechism teaches, Christ’s death and resurrection have opened the way to eternal life for all who believe in Him (CCC 1026).

Psalm 88:13-14 – “But I, O Lord, cry out to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you. O Lord, why do you cast me off? Why do you hide your face from me?”
Despite his feelings of abandonment, the psalmist continues to cry out to God. His persistence in prayer is a testament to his faith, even in the midst of despair. This echoes the teachings of St. Teresa of Calcutta, who spoke often about the “dark night of the soul,” a period of intense spiritual dryness in which God feels distant, but the soul continues to seek Him. The Catechism reminds us that God sometimes allows us to experience this sense of abandonment as a way to purify our faith and strengthen our trust in Him (CCC 2731).

Psalm 88:15 – “Wretched and close to death from my youth up, I suffer your terrors; I am desperate.”
The psalmist describes his lifelong suffering, feeling as though he has been close to death for as long as he can remember. His words resonate with those who have experienced chronic illness, mental health struggles, or other long-term sufferings. The Church teaches that while suffering is a consequence of original sin, it can also be redemptive when united with Christ’s suffering on the cross (CCC 1505). The psalmist’s cry is one of desperation, but it also holds the seed of hope: even in his despair, he continues to turn to God.

Reflection:

The psalmist’s cry of anguish invites us to reflect on our own experiences of suffering and spiritual dryness. There are times in life when God feels distant, and we may wonder if He hears our prayers. Yet, like the psalmist, we are called to persist in prayer, even when it feels as though our cries are going unanswered. When we feel abandoned by God, how do we respond? Do we turn away, or do we continue to cry out to Him, trusting that He is near even when we cannot feel His presence? This psalm challenges us to hold on to faith, even in the darkest of times, and trust that God is with us, working all things for our good (Romans 8:28).

Holy Gospel – Matthew 18:1-5, 10

The Greatness of Humility

In this passage from the Gospel of Matthew, the disciples ask Jesus a question rooted in human ambition: Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Jesus’ response is surprising. Instead of pointing to wealth, power, or status as markers of greatness, He holds up a child as the model for entering the Kingdom of Heaven. This passage challenges us to rethink our understanding of greatness and to embrace the humility, trust, and simplicity of a child. It is a call to conversion, to become more childlike in our relationship with God.

Matthew 18:1-5, 10
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

True Greatness
18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” ² He called a child, whom he put among them, ³ and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

¹⁰ “Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven.

Detailed Exegesis:

Matthew 18:1-2 – “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a child, whom he put among them.”
The disciples’ question reveals their concern with status and hierarchy, a common preoccupation in the world around them. But Jesus’ response turns their expectations upside down. He calls a child and places the child among them, using this child as a living example of the kind of humility required to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. In the time of Jesus, children had no social status or power, yet Jesus points to them as a model for greatness. This reflects the Catholic teaching that humility and trust in God are more important than worldly achievements (CCC 526).

Matthew 18:3 – “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Jesus calls for a radical transformation of heart. To “become like children” is to embrace humility, simplicity, and complete dependence on God. Children are naturally trusting, and they recognize their need for guidance and care. In the same way, we are called to recognize our dependence on God and to trust Him completely. St. Thérèse of Lisieux, known for her “Little Way,” exemplifies this childlike trust in God’s love and mercy. She teaches that it is not great deeds that please God, but rather the simplicity of a heart that loves and trusts Him in all things.

Matthew 18:4 – “Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Humility is the key to greatness in God’s eyes. While the world often equates greatness with power, wealth, or influence, Jesus teaches that true greatness is found in humility. St. Teresa of Ávila often emphasized that humility is the foundation of all virtues. Without humility, it is impossible to grow in holiness. The Catechism echoes this, teaching that humility is the path to salvation because it allows us to recognize our need for God’s grace (CCC 2559).

Matthew 18:5 – “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”
Here, Jesus identifies Himself with the humble and the lowly. To welcome a child is to welcome Christ Himself. This teaching challenges us to embrace those who are vulnerable, marginalized, or without status in society. In doing so, we are welcoming Christ into our lives. This is a call to live out the Gospel message of love and hospitality, especially to those who are most in need.

Matthew 18:10 – “Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven.”
Jesus introduces the concept of guardian angels, reminding us that every person, especially the vulnerable and the humble, is precious in God’s eyes. The Catechism teaches that guardian angels are a sign of God’s loving care for each individual (CCC 336). This verse is a reminder of the dignity of every human life, from the smallest child to the most vulnerable among us.

Reflection:

Jesus’ teachings on humility challenge us to examine our own hearts. What areas of pride or ambition prevent us from fully embracing the childlike humility that Jesus calls for? In a world that prizes self-sufficiency and independence, Jesus’ call to become like children may seem counterintuitive. Yet, it is in this humble dependence on God that we find true freedom and joy. How can we cultivate a deeper sense of humility in our daily lives? Perhaps by recognizing our need for God’s grace in every moment, or by serving others with love and generosity, especially those who cannot repay us.

Embrace Humility, Trust in God

Today’s readings remind us that true greatness in the Kingdom of God is not found in power, wealth, or status, but in humility, trust, and childlike dependence on God. Job’s suffering leads him to a profound realization of God’s greatness and his own need for mercy. The psalmist, in the depths of despair, continues to cry out to God, trusting that He hears even when He seems distant. Finally, Jesus calls us to become like children, embracing humility as the path to greatness in His Kingdom.

Let us pray for the grace to let go of our pride and self-reliance, and to trust in God’s loving care. May we open our hearts to His mercy and strive to serve others with the humility and love that Christ Himself modeled for us.

Engage with Us!

We’d love to hear your thoughts on today’s readings. What resonated with you? How do you see God calling you to greater humility and trust in your own life? Share your reflections in the comments below.

Reflection Questions:

1. In what ways do you relate to Job’s cry of helplessness before God’s greatness? How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God’s wisdom and mercy in your own life?
2. How do you remain faithful in times of spiritual dryness or suffering, like the psalmist in Psalm 88? What prayers or practices help you persevere in your relationship with God?
3. What steps can you take to “become like children” and embrace humility in your daily life, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 18? How can you practice greater trust and dependence on God in your actions and decisions?

Let’s journey together toward a deeper understanding of God’s love and mercy.

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