All of a sudden, suicide rates go up. Addictions become rampant, and depressed people start popping like mushrooms. A lot of people don't find meaning in their lives, and a lot believe they'd rather be dead. They may be alive, but in a very real sense, they are already dead. Pope John Paul II got it right when he said we are living in a culture of death!
That's because the world can be cruel to the poor. And because the world can never fill what we all long for, those who look only at the world are really poor, and most of the time end up being cruel to themselves as well. That's when life loses its meaning.
Job was suffering the same thing. When his riches were stripped from him, his friends not only started lowering their hands when asked who are Job's friends, they also went on the offense and berated Job. I can imagine them taunting Job, "Where is your God now? You fool... you worthless man... you suck... you should die!"
But Job knew better... it is not what he had that defined him, but God. And God said He loved him. Job was human and felt sad at times during his struggle, but he never lost sight of God's word. He lost his riches and even his loved ones, but for him, God's word of love is all he needed. He stood on that truth the whole time, and what a strong foundation it was he stood on!
In today's Gospel, Jesus asked His disciples to tell the world that the Kingdom of God is at hand. A lot were scared and rejected that message, thinking that they will lose everything if they do so. If only they knew what they'd gain by stripping themselves of the empty promises of the world.
Job heeded God's love despite his suffering and got his vindication. How about you? God and His disciples are knocking at your door to tell you of His love. Are you going to accept, or are you going to make them shake the dust of their feet, leaving you empty and dead?
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