It is 4th February 2018. We celebrate the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The readings are from Job 7:1-4, 6-7; the second reading is from 1Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23; and the Gospel from Mark 1:29-39. Our sufferings are the finest fabrics to be interlaced in an unembroidered life. The attitude matters for a happy and contented living. Sufferings and sickness do visit us even if we live our lives to the best of our ability. Dealing with sufferings and sickness is to be at the service of others with love of Christ in our hearts. In the first readings, we reflect about Job who had been forsaken by his intimate friends and spouse during the sickness, he felt abandoned by God and restless day in and day out. Life is indeed the best gift God could ever offer to us. We are tested by God to prove our allegiance at the time of suffering, pain, loss and sorrows. Hope and joy comes by love and service. Life is not full of sorrows and misery only. The painful experiences are the rays that make us shine when there is still no line to connect to divine or human. When there is love in our hearts, sufferings and sickness do not appear to be a burden even though it is difficult to manage. Restlessness bubbles in human heart when we have no time for loving God or finding it hard to connect with God. Human sufferings are the mysteries in the plan of God. God rewards us for our faithfulness and perseverance in the struggles to connect the dots of sufferings that leads us to have joy of the spirit. The responsorial Psalm acclaims, “Praise the Lord, who heals the broken-hearted.” (Ps.147:3). In the second reading, St. Paul urges us to be a generous persons towards the spreading of the Gospel of Christ. It is through sharing our faith in Jesus, we offer hope to those who are in pain, and sickness. Our rightful share of joy comes by sharing the Good News with the others. St. Paul reached out to every person giving hope by sharing the Good News of Salvation and integral healing. In the Gospel, we encounter Jesus who heals many people and shares the love and care of the Father. He not only shared the love of God but also leading others to connect with God through His personal prayer life. Just like Jesus, we need to move on in our lives leading people to have hope and trust in God. Let us not get stuck to one type of work and people creating a comfortable milieu for ourselves. Everything is passing including suffering. We will soon forget the pain and sufferings we are in right now but we will never forget God who accompanied us during those times. Let us move on in our lives and move in with God to continue spreading hope and sharing God’s love to everyone even when we ourselves are struggling in pain and suffering. May you have a good day. May God bless you.