First reading Genesis 32:23-33
Jacob wrestles with God
Jacob rose, and taking his two wives and his two slave-girls and his eleven children he crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream and sent all his possessions over too. And Jacob was left alone.
And there was one that wrestled with him until daybreak who, seeing that he could not master him, struck him in the socket of his hip, and Jacob’s hip was dislocated as he wrestled with him. He said, ‘Let me go, for day is breaking.’ But Jacob answered, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me.’ He then asked, ‘What is your name?’ ‘Jacob’, he replied. He said, ‘Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have been strong against God, you shall prevail against men.’ Jacob then made this request, ‘I beg you, tell me your name’, but he replied, ‘Why do you ask my name?’ And he blessed him there.
Jacob named the place Peniel, ‘Because I have seen God face to face,’ he said ‘and I have survived.’ The sun rose as he left Peniel, limping because of his hip. That is the reason why to this day the Israelites do not eat the sciatic nerve which is in the socket of the hip; because he had struck Jacob in the socket of the hip on the sciatic nerve.
Responsorial Psalm 16(17):1-3,6-8
Lord, in my justice I shall see your face.
Lord, hear a cause that is just,
pay heed to my cry.
Turn your ear to my prayer:
no deceit is on my lips.
From you may my judgement come forth.
Your eyes discern the truth.
You search my heart, you visit me by night.
You test me and you find in me no wrong.
I am here and I call, you will hear me, O God.
Turn your ear to me; hear my words.
Display your great love, you whose right hand saves
your friends from those who rebel against them.
Guard me as the apple of your eye.
Hide me in the shadow of your wings.
In my justice I shall see your face
and be filled, when I awake, with the sight of your glory.
Gospel Matthew 9:32-3
The harvest is rich but the labourers are few
A man was brought to Jesus, a dumb demoniac. And when the devil was cast out, the dumb man spoke and the people were amazed. ‘Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel’ they said. But the Pharisees said, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts out devils.’
Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness.
And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.’
____________________
Jesus, the embodiment of loving compassion
In today’s gospel, the people were amazed when they saw how Jesus healed the man. Though the Pharisees saw the same event, they rejected Him and refused to see God’s hand in the miraculous act. Haven’t we experienced such reactions from people when we do something good and loving? Some rejoice with our actions, while others criticise and speak ill of us.
What is astonishing is that Jesus did not allow the opinions of others to influence Him. The passage continues by stating that He went around all the towns and villages to preach the Good News of God’s love and heal those who are sick. He displays His compassion and love to those in need. We are called to imitate Jesus by never stopping to show compassionate love to those around us, even when others fail to appreciate the good we do.
Reflective question:
How can I imitate Jesus by being sensitive to the needs of those around me and showing them my compassionate love?
How can I imitate Jesus by being sensitive to the needs of those around me and showing them my compassionate love?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.
