Reading 1
Gn 32:23-33
In the course of the night, Jacob arose, took his two wives,
with the two maidservants and his eleven children,
and crossed the ford of the Jabbok.
After he had taken them across the stream
and had brought over all his possessions,
Jacob was left there alone.
Then some man wrestled with him until the break of dawn.
When the man saw that he could not prevail over him,
he struck Jacob’s hip at its socket,
so that the hip socket was wrenched as they wrestled.
The man then said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”
But Jacob said, “I will not let you go until you bless me.”
The man asked, “What is your name?”
He answered, “Jacob.”
Then the man said,
“You shall no longer be spoken of as Jacob, but as Israel,
because you have contended with divine and human beings
and have prevailed.”
Jacob then asked him, “Do tell me your name, please.”
He answered, “Why should you want to know my name?”
With that, he bade him farewell.
Jacob named the place Peniel,
“Because I have seen God face to face,” he said,
“yet my life has been spared.”
At sunrise, as he left Penuel,
Jacob limped along because of his hip.
That is why, to this day, the children of Israel do not eat
the sciatic muscle that is on the hip socket,
inasmuch as Jacob’s hip socket was struck at the sciatic muscle.
17:1b, 2-3, 6-7ab, 8b and 15
Responsorial PsalmR. (15a)
In justice, I shall behold your face, O Lord.
Hear, O LORD, a just suit;
attend to my outcry;
hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit.
R. In justice, I shall behold your face, O Lord.
From you let my judgment come;
your eyes behold what is right.
Though you test my heart, searching it in the night,
though you try me with fire, you shall find no malice in me.
R. In justice, I shall behold your face, O Lord.
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my word.
Show your wondrous mercies,
O savior of those who flee from their foes.
R. In justice, I shall behold your face, O Lord.
Hide me in the shadow of your wings.
I in justice shall behold your face;
on waking, I shall be content in your presence.
R. In justice, I shall behold your face, O Lord.
Gospel
Mt 9:32-38
A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus,
and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke.
The crowds were amazed and said,
“Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”
But the Pharisees said,
“He drives out demons by the prince of demons.”
Jesus went around to all the towns and villages,
teaching in their synagogues,
proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness.
At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them
because they were troubled and abandoned,
like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples,
“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.”
Meditation: Genesis 32:23-33
“I will not let you go until you bless me.” (Genesis 32:27)
Jacob was on his way home after a long absence. During his stay with his uncle, he had married two women, fathered eleven children, and acquired a hefty amount of livestock. However, as he headed for home, he couldn’t help remembering that he was fleeing his elder brother Esau, whom he had cheated out of his father’s blessing. So when he hears that Esau is on his way to meet him, Jacob is nervous.
Jacob strategizes, doing everything he can to protect his household and pacify his brother. He divides his retinue in half and ferries his family to a safe place. He sends several groups of flocks as gifts for his brother. He begs God’s protection. But despite all his plans, he still feels afraid and unprepared for this reunion.
Everything changes, however, in the stillness of the night before the brothers meet. Jacob encounters a stranger who engages him in a wrestling match. As the contest wears on, Jacob realizes this is no ordinary man but an angel, and demands a blessing from him. For all his troubles, he receives a permanent wound and a new name.
But Jacob was blessed as well. His reunion with Esau was far more successful than he had hoped for. All was forgiven; Esau hadn’t come to seek revenge after all!
Wounded by his wrestling match, Jacob bore a constant reminder of his encounter with God. He learned that God’s blessing is not something to be bartered or stolen, like a birthright. Rather, it comes to those who are willing to wrestle with God, pitting their ways against his and letting him stretch and challenge them. Jacob knew he needed God’s blessing before he met Esau, and he was willing to fight for it, not just trick his way into it. He had become needy enough, and his need humbled him and made him determined.
Are you troubled over a difficult situation? It’s fine to come up with plans, but don’t forget to seek God’s heart about the matter as well. Wrestle with him over the problem if you have to. Give voice to whatever grievance you may have. Tell him what’s in your heart. Let God stretch and reshape you. In the end, you’ll find a greater blessing than you ever imagined.
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