Daily Readings - Tue Jul 11 2023
Genesis
22And when he had arisen early, he took his two wives, and the same number of handmaids, with his eleven sons, and he crossed over the ford of Jabbok23And having delivered over all the things that belonged to him24he remained alone. And behold, a man wrestled with him until morning25And when he saw that he would not be able to overcome him, he touched the nerve of his thigh, and immediately it withered26And he said to him, "Release me, for now the dawn ascends." He responded, "I will not release you, unless you bless me.27Therefore he said, "What is your name?" He answered, "Jacob.28But he said, "Your name will not be called Jacob, but Israel; for if you have been strong against God, how much more will you prevail against men?29Jacob questioned him, "Tell me, by what name are you called?" He responded, "Why do you ask my name?" And he blessed him in the same place30And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, "I have seen God face to face, and my soul has been saved.31And immediately the sun rose upon him, after he had crossed beyond Peniel. Yet in truth, he limped on his foot32For this reason, the sons of Israel, even to the present day, do not eat the nerve that withered in Jacob’s thigh, because he touched the nerve of his thigh and it was obstructed
Matthew
32Then, when they had departed, behold, they brought him a man who was mute, having a demon33And after the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds wondered, saying, "Never has anything like this been seen in Israel.34But the Pharisees said, "By the prince of demons does he cast out demons.35And Jesus traveled throughout all of the cities and towns, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, and healing every illness and every infirmity36Then, seeing the multitudes, he had compassion on them, because they were distressed and were reclining, like sheep without a shepherd37Then he said to his disciples: "The harvest indeed is great, but the laborers are few38Therefore, petition the Lord of the harvest, so that he may sent out laborers to his harvest.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of struggle, transformation, and mission. In the first reading from Genesis, we encounter Jacob, who, on his journey, wrestles with a mysterious figure—often interpreted as God or an angel—through the night. This intense struggle leaves Jacob with a limp but also with a new name, Israel, symbolizing his transformation and strength in his relationship with God. The Gospel reading shifts our focus to Jesus, who, after healing a mute man possessed by a demon, expresses compassion for the crowds and calls his disciples to pray for laborers to serve in the harvest of God’s kingdom. Both readings remind us that our struggles and encounters with God are not without purpose; they shape us and prepare us for the mission we are called to fulfill.
The context of these readings highlights the universal human experience of grappling with challenges and the divine. Jacob, a man with a complex past, is met by God in his vulnerability, and this encounter changes him forever. Similarly, in the Gospel, Jesus meets the brokenness of the world with healing and compassion, but he also recognizes the vastness of the need and calls for more workers in the vineyard. These stories remind us that our struggles, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, are not isolated events but opportunities for growth and transformation. They also challenge us to respond to God’s call to serve others, just as Jacob, now Israel, is called to lead his people, and Jesus calls his disciples to share in his mission.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are invited to embrace our own struggles as moments of grace. Like Jacob, we may find ourselves wrestling with God, questioning, or seeking a blessing. Like the disciples, we are called to step out in faith and trust in God’s plan, even when the task seems daunting. The moral lesson here is one of perseverance and trust. Just as Jacob did not let go until he received a blessing, we too must hold fast to God, even in our darkest moments. And just as Jesus had compassion on the crowds, we are called to see the needs of those around us and respond with love and service. Let us ask ourselves: Where am I wrestling with God in my life? How am I being called to serve in the harvest? May we, like Jacob, emerge from our struggles transformed and ready to fulfill the mission God has entrusted to us.