14th Week in Ordinary Time
11th July 2023 (Tuesday) Readings and Reflection
Psalter: Week 2
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Genesis 32:22-32
In those days: Jacob arose at night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. Therefore to this day the people of Israel do not eat the sinew of the thigh that is on the hip socket, because he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip on the sinew of the thigh.
Psalm 17:1, 2-3, 6-7, 8 and 15 (R. 15a)
R/. In justice I shall behold your face.
Alleluia
V/. Alleluia R/. Alleluia
V/. I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my own and my own know me.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel : Matthew 9:32-38
At that time: A demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to Jesus. And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.” And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
Highlight: Let light shine in our hearts!
Guidlines: God never leaves us in our stress and distress to fight a lone battle. All that is needed is to turn and cling to Him even in our struggle{alertSuccess}
1. In the gospel, Jesus saw the crowd and felt compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Today too, God sees all of us and certainly feels compassion for all, because we are truly harassed and helpless, exactly like sheep without a shepherd.
2. How many fears and anxieties, how much violence and selfishness, how much misery snatch away the beauty and joy of life! In how many numberless ways humanity is harassed and helpless? Without a doubt, many are like sheep without a shepherd.
3. Yes, many lack the true shepherding that mainly comprises protection, care and guidance. Many are unprotected, exposed to the assaults of evil. They are not properly cared for and not nurtured, and thus not receive the proper nourishment and strength. Many are also prone to be misguided and led astray.
4. Therefore, we must turn to our only shepherd, the only one who can heal our situation. In his time, Jesus healed many of their sicknesses and evil-possession. He taught them the right path and directed them on the same. He would never give up, despite being falsely blamed and accused. No doubt he never stops this never-ending mission.
5. But, he wants to involve us in this holy mission, which is like cultivating a crop and reaping a rich harvest. He wants us to be fully committed labourers. We need to uproot the roots of evil, which is the true infirmity and demon-possession. We need to transplant God’s comfort and strength. We need to continue the same mission with undaunted zeal and unshaken faith in God.
6. We need to be like Jacob in Genesis 32. 23-33 in the first reading. He wrestles with God’s own angel so valiantly. He would not leave him till he blesses him, even though his thigh was put out of joint.
7. Only such a persevering clinging to God would enable us to be sheep that belong to the shepherd. It will also make us collaborate with the shepherd, working hard and reaping an abundant harvest of sheep with the shepherd. This is what St Benedict, the father of monasticism bears witness to. Let us emulate his example to be a shepherd and a blessing to others as the name itself suggests
Practice: God feels compassionate at our situations of sickness, trouble, abandonment, and loss of direction and guidance. Let us feel His anguish and turn to Him{alertSuccess}