Reflecting on Today’s Readings: 

1 Samuel 16:1B, 6–7, 10–13A ;  Ephesians 5:8–14  ; John 9:1–41

Today’s readings give us much to reflect on as we think about those many jobs we have and do each day. It’s easy to get frustrated or disheartened in a seemingly dead-end job-look at David. He was a shepherd, alone for long hours outside, guarding sheep against dangerous predators. Now there’s a tough job! And yet, we see how God worked through him, used the skills he developed and honed during those long days to become a great and sensitive-if imperfect-king.

“Not as man sees does God see,” Samuel is told. Our God is a creator God-God never ceases working, never ceases loving creation. God is always up to something; we just may not recognize what yet.

Catholic social teaching tells us that there is great dignity in work and that we must protect the rights of workers to provide for themselves, their families and communities. In this week’s featured country, Malawi, Timothy’s story shows us that God is at work when we are at work, even if our tasks seem trivial, even if we can’t find that job we really want. God calls us to action.

“Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord,” Paul says. “Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness.” So then, let us be fruitful, and let us empower others to be fruitful as well.