Job's Doubts Answered

Jb 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5

The LORD addressed Job out of the storm and said:

Have you ever in your lifetime commanded the morning
and shown the dawn its place
For taking hold of the ends of the earth,
till the wicked are shaken from its surface?
The earth is changed as is clay by the seal,
and dyed as though it were a garment;
But from the wicked the light is withheld,
and the arm of pride is shattered.

Have you entered into the sources of the sea,
or walked about in the depths of the abyss?
Have the gates of death been shown to you,
or have you seen the gates of darkness?
Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth?
Tell me, if you know all:
Which is the way to the dwelling place of light,
and where is the abode of darkness,
That you may take them to their boundaries
and set them on their homeward paths?
You know, because you were born before them,
and the number of your years is great!

Then Job answered the LORD and said:

Behold, I am of little account; what can I answer you?
I put my hand over my mouth.
Though I have spoken once, I will not do so again;
though twice, I will do so no more.

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I am sometimes very annoyed at my own personality. Really I am.

There are times when I feel very disappointed for myself. I am usually known by people close to me as outgoing, noisy and very alive. But I am not always like this. My classmates tend to see a different side of my personality: usually reserved, quiet and wearing a pensive, sometimes even sad, face.

Today's first reading tells us of how Job tried to think about God's purpose for His life, and how God responded to his doubts. How will I approach God? How will I know the answers to my questions in life?

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Saint Ignatius of Loyola, help reveal to me the mystery of the purpose of life. Amen.