Above: The Sea of Galilee, August 15, 2009
Image Source = Jet Propulsion Library, NASA
Job and John, Part III: Strife
FEBRUARY 6, 2024
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Blessed Lord, who caused all holy scriptures to be written for our learning:
Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them,
that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life,
which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
–The Book of Common Prayer (1979), page 236
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The Assigned Readings:
Job 3:11-26
Psalm 89:1-18 (Morning)
Psalms 1 and 33 (Evening)
John 1:35-51
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Some Related Posts:
The Feast of St. Bartholomew, Apostle and Martyr (August 24):
http://neatnik2009.wordpress.com/2010/06/13/feast-of-st-bartholomew-apostle-and-martyr-august-24/
The Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles and Martyrs (June 29):
The Feast of Sts. Philip and James, Son of Alpheus, Apostles and Martyrs (May 1):
The Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle and Martyr (November 30):
http://neatnik2009.wordpress.com/2010/06/10/feast-of-st-andrew-apostle-and-martyr-november-30/
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Job, early in his suffering, lamented that he had not only been born but survived the day of his birth. This was understandable, given the circumstances. (I grasp that the Book of Job is a drama and a work of fiction, yet I write of the scenes in their context.)
In John 1:35-51 Jesus calls his first disciples: Andrew and Simon Peter, brothers; Philip; and Nathanael/Bartholomew. All of them died as martyrs. The moment they began to follow Jesus was the moment they started their journeys toward suffering and death.
I think of a hymn:
They cast their nets in Galilee,
just of the hills of brown;
such happy, simple fisherfolk,
before the Lord came down.
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Contented, peaceful fishermen,
before they ever knew
the peace of God that filled their hearts
brimful, and broke them too.
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Young John who trimmed the flapping sail,
homeless in Patmos died.
Peter, who hauled the teeming net,
headdown was crucified.
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The peace of God, it is no peace,
but strife closed in the sod.
Yet let us pray for but one thing–
the marvelous peace of God.
—The Hymnal 1982, of The Episcopal Church, Hymn #661
I do not pretend to have answers I lack. Yet I do know that I prefer to keep Gods’ company in times of suffering and during times without it.
Until the next segment of our journey….
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
APRIL 13, 2012 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF SAINT HERMENEGILD, VISIGOTHIC PRINCE AND ROMAN CATHOLIC MARTYR
THE FEAST OF SAINT HUGH OF ROUEN, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP, ABBOT, AND MONK
THE FEAST OF SAINT MARTIN I, BISHOP OF ROME
THE FEAST OF MIKAEL AGRICOLA, FINNISH LUTHERAN BISHOP OF TALLINN
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http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2012/11/05/job-and-john-part-iii-strife/
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