French philosopher and priest, Teilhard de Chardin speaks of God as ‘eternal discovery’ and ‘eternal growth’. He says that the more we think that we understand God, the more God reveals Himself as the other. The more we think that we have a hold on Him, the further He withdraws drawing us into the depths of Himself.

Job certainly had some insight of this, evident from today’s first reading. Job’s friends who came to console him, dismissed his suffering as being retribution for his sins of the past. However, Job did not agree with this conventional wisdom that sought to provide a very naïve explanation of God’s mysterious ways. He believed that God has a far greater purpose, other than merely administering justice; and claiming to know God’s mind would be limiting God! So rather than be presumptuous in explaining God’s ways, one would be wise to surrender and trust completely in His providence.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus explains that true discipleship calls for total commitment which, in turn, is possible only if one trusts completely.