Lament of a Wounded Priest: The Spiritual Journey of Job

• Main Author: Jean-Pierre Fortin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-12-01
• Series: Religions
• Subjects: book of Job (interpretation of); spiritual theology; lament (theology of); suffering (theology of); wisdom (biblical); faith; priestly vocation; mystical encounter
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/9/12/417

Acknowledging the complex redaction history which produced the Book of Job contained in the Jewish and Christian canonical scriptures, this article offers a spiritual interpretation of the text taking due account of its overall structure and major parts (prologue, main dialogical body and epilogue). With its focus on the formation of personal identity, spiritual theology grants access to a developmental understanding of the biblical narrative and characters. Undergirding this essay is the basic claim that in and with the book and figure of Job are found paradigmatic examples of how to become and remain human and faithful in and despite relentless undeserved suffering. The exploration of Job’s life in suffering leads to the discovery that the lament formulated by a faithful heart compellingly summons God to appear and speak, consecrating the human recipient as mediator of divine revelation and sacramental intercessor. Job’s wounded body and spirit reflect the spiritual journey he has completed and has been commissioned to invite others to undertake. Undeserved suffering can lead to transformative mystical encounters with God, if and when the human heart dares to believe to the end, giving voice to and challenging God from within relentless unjustifiable pain.