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The BreadCast


Daily Exposition of the Readings for Catholic Mass...

as well as Prayers to the Saints on the General Roman Calendar (for the U.S.).  

From the books Our Daily Bread and Prayers to the Saints by James H. Kurt - both with imprimatur.

Sep 30, 2022

(Job 42:1-3,5-6,12-16;   Ps.119:66,71,75,91,125,130,135;   Lk.10:17-24)

 

“I watched Satan fall from the sky like lightning.”

 

Oh how our readings conspire together today to bring heavenly light to our eyes.  Truly by them the Lord would say to us what He says to His apostles, what is so evident with Job: “Blest are the eyes that see what you see.”  For what more could we hope to behold than the defeat of Satan and the power of the Almighty at work in our lives?

“I had heard of you by word of mouth, but now my eye has seen you,” Job declares unto the Lord who stands before him.  Could there be a greater blessing than this for him who has longed for just this moment?  For just in this moment comes to him who has suffered so greatly at the hands of Satan the vindication of the Lord’s servant, the justice that is in the hand of God.  Truly is Satan now cast down before the Lord of all, and truly do the eyes and the heart of Job witness this power of the Most High.  For truly is he set free from the evil one’s clutches and blessed so abundantly.  Job’s eyes see the return and the increase of his myriad of animals; they witness the great blessing of seven sons and three daughters, of whom it is said, “No other women were as beautiful as the daughters of Job.”  These eyes behold “his children, his grandchildren, and even his great-grandchildren,” yes, but the greatest of all visions for which Job is truly blessed and which brings any and all other blessings is that his eye has seen the Lord: he knows now Him who has made him and rejoices sublimely with the apostles that his name is “inscribed in heaven,” indeed that it cannot be blotted out; for Satan has done all he could to accomplish this, and failed.

“It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes” – our psalmist’s words could be Job’s own, for indeed in the Lord’s faithfulness He has afflicted Job to “teach [him] wisdom and knowledge.”  And what knowledge the seventy-two disciples receive this day in our gospel; a knowledge hidden from all ages, a power residing only with God, is given over unto their spirits.  Satan himself and all his minions are now subject to their command.  What falls short of the light in their eyes; what do they now lack?  And so, what can they do but rejoice greatly?  For even Jesus Himself rejoices “in the Holy Spirit”; even the Son of God gives “grateful praise” to the Father for the power and wisdom granted His “merest children.”  Brothers and sisters, the blessings of the Lord are overwhelming… and we do not yet even see heaven!

“The revelation of your words sheds light,” O Lord, “giving understanding to the simple.”  Let us hear what you wish to teach us this day.  That which “prophets and kings wished to see… and hear” you reveal to us at this time – that the power of your Word casts out sin and Satan, and that your own glory you share with your little ones on earth.  Bless us here with your gifts, O Lord.  Remove from our hearts all fear.  Let us know with certainty that you have destroyed the evil one, and draw us now inextricably to your kingdom.

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O LORD, let our eyes see you, 

that we might not sin against you but do your holy will. 

YHWH, you are great beyond compare, the LORD of Heaven and earth; yet you share your greatness with your children, delivering power into their hands. 

How can we bear to see you, LORD?  How can such wonder be known to our eyes?  Make us repentant of our sin and innocent before you, then we shall be able to receive your great gifts. 

LORD, even Satan and his minions are subject to us, for they are subject to you and we are yours alone.  Help us ever to trust in you, and that our names are written in Heaven.  For if it is upon Heaven our sights are set, then we shall find no trouble upon this earth; we shall be subject to none of the wiles of the evil one. 

We have been afflicted by you, O LORD, afflicted as Job by the scourges of Satan.  It has seemed to us that you left us abandoned, but this was to teach us of your loving presence and just how close you are to our souls.  Open our eyes to see you this day, and all your many blessings.