HAVE YOU NOT PUT A WALL ROUND HIM AND HIS DOMAIN?

Altar Server Prayer: Father in heaven, Your Son Jesus Christ showed his love for you by serving his brothers and sisters in need.  I now ask you to give me your help I serve you and your people Open my mouth to praise you in word and song. Open my ears to hear your word. Open my hand to do your work well. Take from me all evil and distracting thoughts.  Help me to know what I should do and do it well. Help me to serve reverently at your Holy Altar and give you praise and glory now and for ever. Amen     Mass Readings

JOB 1:6-22  One day the Sons of God came to attend on the Lord, and among them was Satan. So the Lord said to Satan, "Where have you been?" 'Round the earth,' he answered 'roaming about.' So the Lord asked him, "Did you notice my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth: a sound and honest man who fears God and shuns evil." 'Yes' Satan said 'but Job is not God-fearing for nothing, is he? Have you not put a wall round him and his house and all his domain?

You have blessed all he undertakes, and his flocks thong the countryside.  But stretch out your hand and lay a finger on his possessions: I warrant you, he will curse you to your face. "Very well," the Lord said to Satan "all he has is in your power. But keep your hands off his person." So Satan left the Lord.

On the day when Job’s sons and daughters were at their meal and drinking wine at their eldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job. ‘Your oxen’ he said ‘were at the plough, with the donkeys grazing at their side, when the Sabaeans swept down on them and carried them off. Your servants they put to the sword: I alone escaped to tell you.’ He had not finished speaking when another messenger arrived. ‘The fire of God’ he said ‘has fallen from the heavens and burnt up all your sheep, and your shepherds too: I alone escaped to tell you.’ He had not finished speaking when another messenger arrived. ‘The Chaldaeans,’ he said ‘three bands of them, have raided your camels and made off with them. Your servants they put to the sword: I alone escaped to tell you.’ He had not finished speaking when another messenger arrived. ‘Your sons and daughters’ he said ‘were at their meal and drinking wine at their eldest brother’s house, when suddenly from the wilderness a gale sprang up, and it battered all four corners of the house which fell in on the young people. They are dead: I alone escaped to tell you.’

Job rose and tore his gown and shaved his head. Then falling to the ground he worshipped and said:

'Naked I came from my mother's womb, naked I shall return.

The Lord gave, the Lord has taken back.

Blessed be the name of the Lord!'

In all this misfortune Job committed no sin nor offered any insult to God.

GOSPEL

An argument started between the disciples about which of them was the greatest. Jesus knew what thoughts were going through their minds, and he took a little child and set him by his side and then said to them, ‘Anyone who welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For the least among you all, that is the one who is great.’

John spoke up. ‘Master,’ he said ‘we saw a man casting out devils in your name, and because he is not with us we tried to stop him.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘You must not stop him: anyone who is not against you is for you.’ Homily

Heavenly Father, protect me from the evil one. I am helpless without your help.