It is 26th September 2016. We celebrate the memorial of Saints Cosmas and Damian, the martyrs. The readings are from Job 1:6-22; and the Gospel from Luke 9:46-50. We begin to read from the Book of Job this week. We encounter the man of God, Job as the exemplar of faith and a model of endurance in suffering without accusing and pointing fingers towards God when sufferings hit him. Suffering is a mystery everyone has to face one day or the other. We will never understand the presence and the origin of it with our reason. Even after losing the most beloved children, Job was able to say: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong-doing.” (Job. 1:22). It is easy to love and being faithful to God in good times. As long as we enjoy the blessings of God with security, wealth, health and states, we are happy to say that God is wonderful and good. What happens to our faith when we have to face the misfortune, suffering, tragedies, and failures? Are we still strong in our faith like Job? The responsorial Psalm prays, “Turn your ear to me, O Lord; hear my words.” (Ps.16:6). The Gospel teaches us that our greatness comes only by humble service not by a cheap popularity we gain by circulating the opinions we create about ourselves. Greatness is all about how we care for others especially the poor, the needy and the helpless who cannot repay us. God recognises and rewards us when we welcome and care for these little ones. Let us do our part without comparing with others. Comparison leads us to be mean and jealous. May God bless you. Have a good day.