During his General Audience, the Pope refleceted on the biblical figure of Job, who, “amid profound suffering...expresses his trust in God’s justice, to be revealed in due time.”
His example is one of of trusting prayer for the elderly, says the Pope, to teach them “to unite ourselves to the crucified Jesus.”
Dear brothers and sisters,
In our continuing catechesis on the meaning and value of old age in the light of God’s word, we now turn to the great biblical figure of Job.
Job’s persevering faith amid profound suffering led him to understand that God, who often appears silent in the face of evil, is nonetheless mysteriously present with his redemptive mercy and love.
In his affliction, Job rejects the facile explanations of evil offered by his friends and pours out all his violent pain and protest before God. At the same time, he expresses his trust in God’s justice, to be revealed in due time.
All of us know situations where good people endure sufferings that appear unjust and unbearable, yet, like Job, continue to put their faith in God’s promises.
The elderly, with the vision born of faith and long experience, can offer a privileged witness in this regard. By their example of trusting prayer, they can teach us to unite ourselves to the crucified Jesus, who on the cross surrendered himself completely into the hands of his heavenly Father, whose infinite love transforms death into life and the greatest evil into abundant good.
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, especially those from the United Kingdom, Denmark, Israel and the Middle East, Canada and the United States of America. In the joy of the Risen Christ, I invoke upon you and your families the loving mercy of God our Father.
May the Lord bless you.
