Daily Readings - Tue Jul 11 2017
First Reading - Genesis 32.22-32
Genesis
And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had.And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank.
Gospel - Matthew 9.32-38
Matthew
As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Sermon
The first reading from Genesis tells the story of Jacob wrestling with a mysterious figure, often interpreted as God or an angel, at the ford of Jabbok. This encounter is a pivotal moment in Jacob’s life, marking a transformation. Despite his struggle, Jacob refuses to let go, insisting on a blessing. His persistence is rewarded as he is given a new name, Israel, symbolizing his strength and the beginning of a new identity. The reading reminds us that our struggles, though challenging, can lead to growth and deeper relationship with God.
In the Gospel, Matthew describes Jesus healing a mute man possessed by a demon, which amazes the crowds but is dismissed by the Pharisees as the work of the devil. Jesus then reflects on the vast needs of the people, likening them to sheep without a shepherd. He calls his disciples to pray for more laborers to help with the harvest, emphasizing the urgency of spreading God’s message and caring for those in need. This passage highlights Jesus’ compassion and the call to action for all believers to participate in God’s work.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and our role in the world. Jacob’s wrestling match reminds us that faith often involves struggle and perseverance, but it can lead to transformation. Jesus’ words challenge us to see the needs around us and respond with compassion and action. In our daily lives, we are called to embrace the struggles that shape us and to be attentive to God’s call to serve others. May we, like Jacob, hold fast to God in our struggles, and may we, like the disciples, answer the call to labor in God’s harvest with love and faithfulness.