There is a great contrast between to-day's two readings. In the Gospel the seventy-two disciples are full of energy and optimism as they go out on one of their first missionary expeditions. In Jesus' name and supported by His power they join battle with the forces of evil. Their optimism is justified when, on their return, Jesus congratulates them with the words "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven". Generously He attributes this fall to their efforts. Sometimes we, too, can share in Jesus' work of overthrowing the power of evil. Then we can rejoice with the disciples.

At other times we may have to share in the deep discouragement of Job. Everything seems to have gone wrong for him. His family, his friends and even God seem to have turned against him. He is being tested to the very limit. The important word is "seem". Despite appearances, God has not turned against Jobs. A last life-line has been left to him. Job manages to hold on to a deep final belief that God in the end will not desert him. He can still pray in a phrase used in Handel's Messiah, "I know that my Redeemer lives".

May we never experience the darkness Job experienced. Our moments of darkness, however, are dark enough for us. At least we can affirm with Job that our Redeemer lives and pray with the Responsorial Psalm that the Lord will hear us, have mercy on us and answer. For Job that dreadful cloud did lift. Why not for us too?