Tuesday, July 6, 2021

Dear Reader, if you receive these homilettes by email, you may find the service stopped in July.  As I understand an instruction from Google, its Burnfeeder program will no longer support the service.  You can always find the homilettes on the blog site: https://cbmdominicanpreacher.blogspot.com/ . Perhaps if you send me your email address, I could send the homilettes in a mass email.  You may send your email address to cmeleop@yahoo.com. I am also pchecking into other options like changing my blogging service. cm

Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Genesis 32:23-33; Matthew 9:32-38)

Today’s first reading reports another notable event in the life of Jacob.  It takes place at least twenty years after the dream described in yesterday’s reading.  In the long interval between the two Jacob has acquired two wives and twelve children.  He has become rich by hard work, skill, and cunning, but not through reliance on God. As he returns to his father’s land and an encounter with his brother Esau, whom he swindled, someone attacks him.  The two wrestle all night with neither able to thwart the other.  Then the assailant, in a hurry to leave, strikes Jacob at his hip.  Still Jacob holds on to his adversary.  Finally, the assailant gives up.  But Jacob, realizing that his opponent is not a man at all but God, will release him only on condition that he bless Jacob.  The man obliges.  He gives Jacob a new name suggestive of a new stature.  He will no longer be called “Jacob,” a name which means heel catcher because he was born holding his twin brother Esau’s heel.  From now on, he will be “Israel,” a name meaning that he has prevailed in the struggle with God.

 What are we to make of all this?  For most of his life to this point Jacob has ignored God.  As he is about to encounter his brother Esau, however, God throws Himself on Jacob in an act of saving grace.  Jacob is forced to struggle with God, who mercifully does not destroy him.  Rather God leaves him limping as a constant reminder of his presence to him.  The incident changes Jacob’s life entirely.  He is no longer defined by Esau, but by God whom he will come to acknowledge as “Lord.”

 Perhaps in our doubts and fears we too struggle with God.  We may not like to adhere to one of his commandments.  Or perhaps we feel like God has betrayed us when a loved one has died.  We may get tired of the struggle and want to give up our faith.  That, however, will be a mistake.  We only have to submit to God’s will.  That will bring us His blessing.