Wednesday 30 September 2026 - Great things beyond understanding

Wednesday 30 September 2026 Today is Wednesday the 30th of September, the feast of Saint Jerome, in the 26th week of Ordinary Time. Molly Parden and Jonathan Odgen sing, ‘The Promise’. Hear these lyrics about God’ creation and join in with the sense of awe for God’s love for our universe. This gift you gave From the beginning Warm light, dry land Blue water brimming And more, from the earth There came a growing From seed to bloom All the while you were sowing It was love, love Given in the water And peace, God's peace Written in the letters Of the earth, God’s earth Given with the promise Can we keep it? Can we keep it? And stars in the night To gaze on them kindly Great light, cool moon All aligned in the sky, see From watеr came light And so from the land To feed and not to fight To stand hand and hand It was love, lovе Given in the starlight And peace, God's peace Given in the sunshine On the earth, God's earth Given with the promise Can we keep it? Can we keep it? Out from the silence I hear a voice, I follow it onwards You whispered to me I am reminded Of every gift you gave So Spirit, lead me unto the waters Unto the earth you made Teach me the secret to ever care for To ever look after it It was love, love Given in the water And peace, God’s peace Written in the letters Of the earth, God's earth Given with the promise Can we keep it? Can we keep it? Can we keep it? Today’s reading is from the Book of Job. Job 9:1-12, 14-16 Then Job answered: ‘Indeed I know that this is so; but how can a mortal be just before God? If one wished to contend with him, one could not answer him once in a thousand. He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength —who has resisted him, and succeeded?— he who removes mountains, and they do not know it, when he overturns them in his anger; who shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars tremble; who commands the sun, and it does not rise; who seals up the stars; who alone stretched out the heavens and trampled the waves of the Sea; who made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the chambers of the south; who does great things beyond understanding, and marvellous things without number. Look, he passes by me, and I do not see him; he moves on, but I do not perceive him. He snatches away; who can stop him? Who will say to him, “What are you doing?” How then can I answer him, choosing my words with him? Though I am innocent, I cannot answer him; I must appeal for mercy to my accuser. If I summoned him and he answered me, I do not believe that he would listen to my voice. Job contemplates the greatness of God. He speaks of mountains being moved, stars being created, and wonders beyond human understanding. As you listen to these images, where do you encounter a sense of wonder in your own life? When have you found yourself aware of something greater than yourself, something that invited you to pause and take notice? For Job, God's greatness is both beautiful and overwhelming. He wonders how he could ever find the right words before such a powerful God. Yet he does not turn away. How do you approach God today? What do you bring into this time of prayer? Is there something you long to say, but struggle to put into words? Job says, "He passes by me, and I do not see him." As you hear the scripture again, stay with those words. Have there been times when God's presence felt hidden or difficult to recognise? Or perhaps moments that, looking back now, reveal signs of God's quiet companionship, even when you could not see it at the time. Job 9:1-12, 14-16 Then Job answered: ‘Indeed I know that this is so; but how can a mortal be just before God? If one wished to contend with him, one could not answer him once in a thousand. He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength —who has resisted him, and succeeded?— he who removes mountains, and they do not know it, when he overturns them in his anger; who shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars tremble; who commands the sun, and it does not rise; who seals up the stars; who alone stretched out the heavens and trampled the waves of the Sea; who made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the chambers of the south; who does great things beyond understanding, and marvellous things without number. Look, he passes by me, and I do not see him; he moves on, but I do not perceive him. He snatches away; who can stop him? Who will say to him, “What are you doing?” How then can I answer him, choosing my words with him? Though I am innocent, I cannot answer him; I must appeal for mercy to my accuser. If I summoned him and he answered me, I do not believe that he would listen to my voice. Job does not hide his questions from God. He speaks honestly, bringing both his wonder and his uncertainty. As this prayer draws to a close, speak with God from where you are today. What would you like to say to him? What hope, question, gratitude, or longing would you like to place before him in your own words? Rest for a moment in his presence, trusting that he hears you. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen