First Reading: Genesis 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.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 17:1b, 2-3, 6-7ab, 8b and 15
R./ 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 Reading: Matthew 9:32-38A 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.”
Dear friend,
Often we fight against circumstances that challenge us in life: an illness, a betrayal, a broken relationship, a job or financial failure, a misunderstanding… We don’t lack battles or fronts to fight on. Today we see Jacob in such a struggle, wrestling until dawn with a mysterious figure.
We know life is not easy. But, like Jacob, these battles help us rethink the direction of our lives if we rely on God. In Jacob’s case, there was a transformation: he changed his name from Jacob (“the one who grabs by the heel” or “the supplanter”) to Israel (“the one who struggles with God” – not against Him). Life’s trials should help us grow, mature, and leave behind victim attitudes, becoming strong people thanks to God’s strength.
Summer is a good time to rest and review our lives. When we do, we often first think of those parts of our life that are not going well. We tend to see the negative first, the shadow inside us, because those wounds shout loudly. But it is necessary not to avoid this healthy exercise of self-reflection, so we can also see the seed of good and potential inside us, which usually appears second. Today, the Word reminds us that God also fights by our side and helps us in our battles if we let Him.
Again, a healing in today’s Gospel. A demon-possessed man who is deaf and mute — I don’t know if there can be a worse condition. Once again, Jesus shows compassion and does not abandon him. And just to be clear, Matthew’s text says: “When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were tired and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
In Jesus’ way, have compassion for those around you, as the Lord has compassion for you. And remember: be kinder than necessary, because everyone you meet is fighting a battle.
Your brother in faith,
Juan Lozano, C.M.F.
