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Monday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 : Job 1:6-22

One day, when the angels of God came to present themselves before the LORD,
Satan also came among them.
And the LORD said to Satan, “Whence do you come?”
Then Satan answered the LORD and said,
“From roaming the earth and patrolling it.”
And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job,
and that there is no one on earth like him,
blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil?”
But Satan answered the LORD and said,
“Is it for nothing that Job is God-fearing?
Have you not surrounded him and his family
and all that he has with your protection?
You have blessed the work of his hands,
and his livestock are spread over the land.
But now put forth your hand and touch anything that he has,
and surely he will blaspheme you to your face.”
And the LORD said to Satan,
“Behold, all that he has is in your power;
only do not lay a hand upon his person.”
So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

And so one day, while his sons and his daughters
were eating and drinking wine
in the house of their eldest brother,
a messenger came to Job and said,
“The oxen were ploughing and the asses grazing beside them,
and the Sabeans carried them off in a raid.
They put the herdsmen to the sword,
and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
While he was yet speaking, another came and said,
“Lightning has fallen from heaven
and struck the sheep and their shepherds and consumed them;
and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
While he was yet speaking, another messenger came and said,
“The Chaldeans formed three columns,
seized the camels, carried them off,
and put those tending them to the sword,
and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
While he was yet speaking, another came and said,
“Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine
in the house of their eldest brother,
when suddenly a great wind came across the desert
and smote the four corners of the house.
It fell upon the young people and they are dead;
and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
Then Job began to tear his cloak and cut off his hair.
He cast himself prostrate upon the ground, and said,

“Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb,
and naked shall I go back again.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
blessed be the name of the LORD!”

In all this Job did not sin,
nor did he say anything disrespectful of God.

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 17:1bcd, 2-3, 6-7

R. (6) Incline your ear to me and hear my word.
Hear, O LORD, a just suit;
attend to my outcry;
hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit.
R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.
From you let my judgment come;
your eyes behold what is right.
Though you test my heart, searching it in the night,
though you try me with fire, you shall find no malice in me.
R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my word.
Show your wondrous mercies,
O savior of those who flee
from their foes to refuge at your right hand.
R. Incline your ear to me and hear my word.

Alleluia : Mark 10:45

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Son of Man came to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : Luke 9:46-50

An argument arose among the disciples
about which of them was the greatest.
Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child
and placed it by his side and said to them,
“Whoever receives this child in my name receives me,
and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.
For the one who is least among all of you
is the one who is the greatest.”

Then John said in reply,
“Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name
and we tried to prevent him
because he does not follow in our company.”
Jesus said to him,
“Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”
 

Message from the Readings

Today’s readings proclaim a profound truth:
Faith is proven not in comfort, but in crisis — and greatness is revealed not in power, but in humility.
• Job shows unwavering trust in God even in unimaginable suffering.
• The psalm teaches us to seek God’s justice with a sincere heart.
• Jesus reminds His disciples that true greatness is found in humility and openness, not competition or pride.
The message is clear: A faithful heart remains steady in trials and humble in service.

Reflection for the Day

Job’s story is one of the most challenging in Scripture.
In a single day, he loses everything — wealth, security, and even his beloved children. Yet his response is astonishing:
“Blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Job does not pretend the pain isn’t real. He tears his cloak, shaves his head, and falls to the ground — but he worships.
This teaches us that:
• Faith does not eliminate suffering.
• Faith sustains us through suffering.
• Faith acknowledges God’s sovereignty even when life feels shattered.
Psalm 17 echoes this posture:
“Incline Your ear to me… You test my heart.”
God sees our pain, examines our motives, and responds with steadfast love.
In the Gospel, the disciples argue about greatness — a striking contrast to Job’s humility. Jesus corrects them gently:
Greatness is not about status — it is about humility.
He places a child before them, showing that the Kingdom belongs to the lowly, the trusting, the simple-hearted.
Then He expands their vision:
“Whoever is not against you is for you.”
Jesus invites His disciples — and us — to avoid jealousy, rivalry, and narrowness. The mission is bigger than our personal circle.
Today’s readings invite us to three movements:

1. Trust God in every season — even the painful ones.
   Let Job’s faith inspire your response to hardship.
2. Seek God’s justice with a sincere heart.
   Let your prayer be honest, humble, and open.
3. Choose humility over competition.
   Let Christ redefine what greatness means.
   Let today be a day of surrender, humility, and renewed trust in God’s goodness.

 Prayer for Today

Lord Jesus, teach me to trust You even when life feels heavy and confusing.
Give me Job’s faith, the psalmist’s sincerity, and the humility You call Your disciples to embrace.
Remove pride, rivalry, and fear from my heart. Fill me with compassion, openness, and peace.
May my life bless Your name in every season — in joy, in loss, in waiting, and in hope.
Amen.