B144 - Pentecost 22 (Proper 25)

Sean and Fran explore the final episode in the book of Job (42:1-6; 10-17), noting the ‘happily ever after’ narrative resolution, the pastoral minefield that this poses in preaching, and the apparent theological inconsistency that Job’s blessing represents. We emphasise the vulnerability Job displays in his story and how counter cultural that is for wealthy, powerful people. The purpose of Job’s story is to trace the transformation that encounters with God provoke; Job’s resolution is complex. In Mark 10:46-52 the theme of coming to faith and ‘seeing’ continues with the healing of Bartimaeus. We note the nuanced way in which disability needs to be talked about. The emphasis of Bartimaeus’ story is his marginalisation, his coming to faith and his following without question, as Jesus heads to Jerusalem. We mention Willie James Jennings’ After Whiteness; Ched Myers’ Binding the Strong Man; Kylie Crabbe’s Terror, challenge, and reimagined community in biblical treatments of disability.