Daily Readings - Tue Jul 08 2025
Genesis
22That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maidservants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok.23After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions.24So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.25When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man.26Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak." But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."27The man asked him, "What is your name?Jacob," he answered.28Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome."29Jacob said, "Please tell me your name." But he replied, "Why do you ask my name?" Then he blessed him there.30So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, "It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared."31The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip.32Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the socket of the hip, because the socket of Jacob's hip was touched near the tendon.
Matthew
32While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus.33And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel."34But the Pharisees said, "It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons."35Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.37Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and our role in the world. The first reading from Genesis recounts Jacob's transformative encounter with God, where he wrestles through the night and emerges with a new name, Israel, symbolizing his perseverance and divine favor. This passage highlights Jacob's journey from self-reliance to surrender, as he limps away with a reminder of God's presence in his life. The second reading from Matthew presents Jesus, moved by compassion for the crowds, healing a mute man and calling His disciples to pray for laborers in God's harvest. This passage underscores Jesus' mission of mercy and the urgency of spiritual work.
These readings are connected by themes of struggle and divine intervention. Jacob's wrestling match with God mirrors our own struggles, where perseverance leads to transformation. Similarly, Jesus' compassion and call to action remind us of our responsibility to serve others. Both narratives emphasize trust in God's plan and the need for active participation in His work.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace our struggles as opportunities for growth and to trust in God's grace. They also call us to compassion and service, urging us to pray for guidance and to be laborers in God's harvest. The moral lesson is clear: trust in God during life's challenges and actively seek to serve others with compassion and faith.