Daily Readings - Sat Jul 08 2023
Genesis
1Now Isaac was old, and his eyes were cloudy, and so he was not able to see. And he called his elder son Esau, and he said to him, "My son?" And he responded, "Here I am.2His father said to him: "You see that I am old, and I do not know the day of my death3Take your weapons, the quiver and the bow, and go out. And when you have taken something by hunting4make from it a small meal for me, just as you know I like, and bring it, so that I may eat and my soul may bless you before I die.5And when Rebekah had heard this, and he had gone out into the field to fulfill his father’s order9and go straight to the flock, and bring me two of the best young goats, so that from them I may make meat for your father, such as he willingly eats10Then, when you have brought these in and he has eaten, he may bless you before he dies.15And she clothed him with the very fine garments of Esau, which she had at home with her16And she encircled his hands with little pelts from the young goats, and she covered his bare neck17And she gave him the small meal, and she handed him the bread that she had baked18When he had carried these in, he said, "My father?" And he answered, "I’m listening. Who are you, my son?19And Jacob said: "I am Esau, your firstborn. I have done as you instructed me. Arise; sit and eat from my hunting, so that your soul may bless me.20And again Isaac said to his son, "How were you able to find it so quickly, my son?" He answered, "It was the will of God, so that what I sought met with me quickly.21And Isaac said, "Come here, so that I may touch you, my son, and may prove whether you are my son Esau, or not.22He approached his father, and when he had felt him, Isaac said: "The voice indeed is the voice of Jacob. But the hands are the hands of Esau.23And he did not recognize him, because his hairy hands made him seem similar to the elder one. Therefore, blessing him24he said, "Are you my son Esau?" He answered, "I am.25Then he said, "Bring me the foods from your hunting, my son, so that my soul may bless you." And when he had eaten what was offered, he also brought forth wine for him. And after he finished it26he said to him, "Come to me and give me a kiss, my son.27He approached and kissed him. And immediately he perceived the fragrance of his garments. And so, blessing him, he said: "Behold, the smell of my son is like the smell of a plentiful field, which the Lord has blessed28May God give to you, from the dew of heaven and from the fatness of the earth, an abundance of grain and wine29And may the peoples serve you, and may the tribes reverence you. May you be the lord of your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down before you. Whoever curses you, may he be cursed, and whoever blesses you, may he be filled with blessings.
Matthew
14Then the disciples of John drew near to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast frequently, but your disciples do not fast?15And Jesus said to them: "How can the sons of the groom mourn, while the groom is still with them? But the days will arrive when the groom will be taken away from them. And then they shall fast16For no one would sew a patch of new cloth onto an old garment. For it pulls its fullness away from the garment, and the tear is made worse17Neither do they pour new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wineskins rupture, and the wine pours out, and the wineskins are destroyed. Instead, they pour new wine into new wineskins. And so, both are preserved.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two distinct narratives that, upon closer examination, reveal a common theme of transformation and the challenges it presents. The first reading from Genesis recounts the story of Jacob and Esau, where Rebekah assists Jacob in deceiving Isaac to secure the blessing intended for Esau. This tale highlights the complexities of human desire and the consequences of deceit, illustrating how our weaknesses can lead us astray.
The Gospel reading from Matthew presents Jesus discussing fasting with John's disciples. He uses the metaphor of the groom and wineskins to convey that His teachings represent a new era that cannot be confined by old traditions. Jesus emphasizes the necessity of embracing the new, as old structures cannot contain the freshness He brings.
Both readings invite us to reflect on the interplay between the old and the new. In Genesis, the old order is disrupted by Jacob's deception, leading to a shift in the family dynamics. In Matthew, Jesus introduces a new paradigm that challenges existing practices. This duality encourages us to consider the inevitability of change and the importance of adaptability in our spiritual journey.
In our daily lives, we often face moments where we must choose between clinging to the familiar or embracing the new. The readings remind us that growth and renewal are essential, even when uncomfortable. They urge us to approach change with openness and honesty, trusting in God's plan rather than resorting to deception.
Ultimately, the moral lesson is clear: we must embrace the newness that God brings into our lives, even when it disrupts our comfort. By doing so, we align ourselves with His will, fostering a spirit of truthfulness and trust. Let us seek to be open to transformation, knowing that it is through such change that we grow closer to God.