Daily Readings - Tue Jul 11 2023
Genesis
22And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.23And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had.24And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.25And 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.26And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.27And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.28And 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.29And 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.30And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.31And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.32Therefore 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.
Matthew
32As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.33And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.34But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.35And 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.36But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.37Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;38Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into 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.