When the Silences Cannot Be Named

Preparing for Trinity Sunday: Three Days before Sunday (Year A)

Scripture

Psalter: Psalm 8

Old Testament: Job 38:1-11

Epistle: 2 Timothy 1:8-12a

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Prayer

Almighty and merciful God, in your goodness keep us, we pray, from all things that may hurt us, that we, being ready both in mind and body, may accomplish with free hearts those things which belong to your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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Reflection

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind:

“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?

Gird up your loins like a man;

    I will question you, and you shall declare to me.

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?

    Tell me, if you have understanding.

Who determined its measurements—surely you know!

    Or who stretched the line upon it?

On what were its bases sunk,

    or who laid its cornerstone

when the morning stars sang together

    and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?

“Or who shut in the sea with doors

    when it burst out from the womb,

when I made the clouds its garment

    and thick darkness its swaddling band,

and prescribed bounds for it,

    and set bars and doors,

and said, ‘Thus far shall you come and no farther,

    and here shall your proud waves be stopped’? (Job 38:1-11).

It is important to understand that the Book of Job does not deal with the question of why there is suffering. Rather, the book deals with the matter of how the suffering remain faithful in the midst of trying time. In chapter 38 of Job, God finally responds to him. In Job’s frustration he has been complaining because of his suffering in the dialogue with his three friends who frankly don’t give him very good advice. God answers job out of the whirlwind. God’s response does not answer the question of why Job is suffering. Instead, God raises the question of Job’s ability to understand suffering in a world he has not made—in a world that is larger and beyond him.

 I think it’s important to note here that we should not read God’s response to Job in a way that puts human questions to God as out of bounds. It is always OK to question God and to raise doubts and concerns. One cannot read the Psalms and come away with any other conclusion. But I think the book of Job reminds us that there are things in this world that are beyond explanation. God does not cause suffering. God does not inflict suffering, but God is with us in the midst of the suffering, just as God is with Job.

We must understand that in this life there are some silences that cannot be named such as suffering that makes no sense. Not everything happens for a profound reason. But God does offer us his presence. God simply doesn’t offer us the whirlwind with adequate explanations, or the the calm breezes of comfort. The God who laid the foundation of the earth and set the bounds for the sea and land is there when the waves of life are too high.

That does not make the turmoil any less difficult; but we do know we are not alone.

PRAYER: Grant, O Lord, that the course of this world may be peaceably governed by your providence; and that your Church may joyfully serve you in confidence and serenity; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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