Repentance and restoration

He was rich, then lost everything, then repented, and then was rich again.

This tale of riches to rags to riches seems to resonate with the financial and economic roller coasters of the past two decades (and most especially the turmoil of recent days, although restoration may seem far away).

In today’s first reading (Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17), Job – a rich man who lost everything – repents and then gets his riches back.

This should not be taken as a guarantee of earthly prosperity as a result of repentance.

Earthly riches are temporary and often come with great temptations and other evils.

What God offers to the repentant is not temporary but eternal. It is pure goodness that enables us to survive a world of evil. It is restoration of innocence and even more: a sharing in God’s own life through grace.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, be merciful to me – a sinner.