Job was naturally discouraged and probably depressed after suffering such overwhelming tragedies. He wished he had never been born. In the new covenant, we can unite our sufferings with Jesus' Passion and death (see Phil 3:10) and even rejoice at the privilege of suffering for the Lord and for the salvation of the human race (see Phil 1:29; Col 1:24; 1 Pt 4:13). Jesus' Paschal mystery has transformed all life, including lives of suffering.

James and John thought that the solution to the Samaritans' refusal to receive Jesus into their village was to "call down fire from heaven to destroy" that village (Lk 9:54). James and John thought violence was the answer because they had not seen that Jesus' Paschal mystery will change our enemies, such as the Samaritans, into our family, into potential brothers and sisters in Christ. Also, James and John would learn that Jesus and His disciples die for their enemies rather than seek their enemies' death.

Jesus' Passion, death, and resurrection has made it possible for us to have a new nature, become children of God, have the Holy Trinity live within us and us within the Trinity, to be holy and forgive our enemies, suffer redemptively, and live a radically new life in every way. We have been given a new life in Christ unfathomable to those who lived before Jesus and the unfolding of the Paschal mystery. "When much has been given a man, much will be required of him. More will be asked of a man to whom more has been entrusted" (Lk 12:48).

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Richard L. Klug, January 16, 2004

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 26, 2004