Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary A I

Proper readings for the Memorial of Sts. Joachim and Anne 

 
Biographical information about Sts. Joachim and Anne

“Abrazo de San Joaquín y Santa Ana ante la Puerta Dorada” (Detail)
by Ambrosius Benson, c. 1495-1500

Readings for Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time [1]
 
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [2]
 
Readings and Commentary: [3]
 
Reading 1: Exodus 16:1-5, 9-15
 
The children of Israel set out from Elim,
and came into the desert of Sin,
which is between Elim and Sinai,
on the fifteenth day of the second month
after their departure from the land of Egypt.
Here in the desert the whole assembly of the children of Israel
grumbled against Moses and Aaron.
The children of Israel said to them,
"Would that we had died at the LORD's hand in the land of Egypt,
as we sat by our fleshpots and ate our fill of bread!
But you had to lead us into this desert
to make the whole community die of famine!"
 
Then the LORD said to Moses,
"I will now rain down bread from heaven for you.
Each day the people are to go out and gather their daily portion;
thus will I test them,
to see whether they follow my instructions or not.
On the sixth day, however, when they prepare what they bring in,
let it be twice as much as they gather on the other days."
 
Then Moses said to Aaron, "Tell the whole congregation
of the children of Israel:
Present yourselves before the LORD,
for he has heard your grumbling."
When Aaron announced this to the whole assembly of the children of Israel,
they turned toward the desert, and lo,
the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud!
The LORD spoke to Moses and said,
"I have heard the grumbling of the children of Israel.
Tell them: In the evening twilight you shall eat flesh,
and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread,
so that you may know that I, the LORD, am your God."
 
In the evening quail came up and covered the camp.
In the morning a dew lay all about the camp,
and when the dew evaporated, there on the surface of the desert
were fine flakes like hoarfrost on the ground.
On seeing it, the children of Israel asked one another, "What is this?"
for they did not know what it was.
But Moses told them,
"This is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat."
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Commentary on Ex 16:1-5, 9-15
 
Having successfully escaped from Egypt and Pharaoh’s army, the Israelites now find themselves in difficult surroundings with little food. In response to their plight, God provides for them through the auspices of Moses by sending manna to sustain them. This “bread from heaven” is seen as a gift from God; the manna is said to come down from the sky (see also Psalm 78:25; Wisdom 16:20). Manna is also later compared by Christ to the Eucharist he offers (see John 6: 31ff).
 
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 78:18-19, 23-24, 25-26, 27-28
 
R. (24b) The Lord gave them bread from heaven.
 
They tempted God in their hearts
by demanding the food they craved.
Yes, they spoke against God, saying,
"Can God spread a table in the desert?"
R. The Lord gave them bread from heaven.
 
Yet he commanded the skies above
and the doors of heaven he opened;
He rained manna upon them for food
and gave them heavenly bread.
R. The Lord gave them bread from heaven.
 
Man ate the bread of angels,
food he sent them in abundance.
He stirred up the east wind in the heavens,
and by his power brought on the south wind.
R. The Lord gave them bread from heaven.
 
And he rained meat upon them like dust,
and, like the sand of the sea, winged fowl,
Which fell in the midst of their camp
round about their tents.
R. The Lord gave them bread from heaven.
-------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 78:18-19, 23-24, 25-26, 27-28
 
Psalm 78 is a historical recital, recounting the encounter of the Israelites with God. It emphasizes their rejection of his gifts, and the perceived punishments for these rejections. In this selection the psalmist recalls the journey in the wilderness, and the anger at God for leading them on without food. God answered their plea with manna (Exodus 16:1ff).
 
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Gospel: Matthew 13:1-9
 
On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea.
Such large crowds gathered around him
that he got into a boat and sat down,
and the whole crowd stood along the shore.
And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying:
“A sower went out to sow.
And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path,
and birds came and ate it up.
Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil.
It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep,
and when the sun rose it was scorched,
and it withered for lack of roots.
Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it.
But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit,
a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.
Whoever has ears ought to hear.”
-------------------------------------------
Commentary on Mt 13:1-9
 
St. Matthew’s Gospel begins the third great discourse of teachings on the Kingdom of God through parables. We hear that Jesus is teaching from a boat, which would provide a natural amphitheater, with the ground sloping to the shore. Here the Lord presents the parable of the “Sower.” Jesus follows the unvarnished parable with a deeper explanation to the disciples (Matthew 13: 18-23). As a historical note, at that point in history in that region, when planting a field, the seed was sown first and then the field was plowed.
 
CCC: Mt 13:3-23 1724; Mt 13:3-9 546
-------------------------------------------
Reflection:
 
We pause to reflect on the amazing imagery of the “Parable of the Sower.” The reason this parable is so rich for us is that, not only do we look at it and see ourselves as the seed (and the various circumstances of its growth), but we can also see ourselves as the sower. We can even look at ourselves as the soil in which the seed falls.
 
If we see ourselves as the seed, we concern ourselves with accepting God’s word in our hearts so we can put out deep roots. When we do so we cannot be snatched away, the sun cannot burn us and the weeds cannot choke us. We see the only way for us to do that is by constant care and attention. We water ourselves with the sacraments, we feed ourselves with the word of God and our roots become our prayer.
 
If we see ourselves as the sower, we must have the attitude of Christ. He knew that the life-giving words he spoke would not generally fall on receptive ears (hence the reason for the parable in the first place). He (and we) must accept that we have a task to do as the sower. We must put the seeds of God’s love out there in that vast field that is the world and trust God to watch over it.
 
When we see ourselves as the soil, ah, that is something we can control. We can easily see the seeds of faith in others. Sometimes that faith has germinated, and we will be the rich fertile soil that helps it grow. Other times when it has not even germinated, we encourage it providing examples and nurturing. Sometimes we see it choked by weeds and we do our best to move that seed to a more wholesome environment. And sometimes we see the seeds parched due to lack of nourishment and we do our best to provide it. The hardest part of the parable of the sower is being the soil.
 
Today let us pray that we have the strength to be that seed in good ground. Let us ask God to help us be good sowers of his love. And finally, we ask God to make us the best possible soil, encouraging those around us to grow and helping them build the roots of prayer that will sustain them.
 
Pax

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[1] The picture is “Abrazo de San Joaquín y Santa Ana ante la Puerta Dorada” (Detail) by Ambrosius Benson, c. 1495-1500.
[2] S.S. Commemoratio
[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible, with the exception of the psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This republication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.

Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church A I

Proper readings for the Memorial of St. Bonaventure

 
Biographical information about St. Bonaventure

“Saint Bonaventure”
Artist and date are unknown

Readings for Saturday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time [2]
 
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [3]
 
Readings and Commentary [4]
 
Reading 1: Genesis 49:29-32; 50:15-26a
 
Jacob gave his sons this charge:
"Since I am about to be taken to my people,
bury me with my fathers in the cave that lies
in the field of Ephron the Hittite,
the cave in the field of Machpelah,
facing on Mamre, in the land of Canaan,
the field that Abraham bought from Ephron the Hittite
for a burial ground.
There Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried,
and so are Isaac and his wife Rebekah,
and there, too, I buried Leah–
the field and the cave in it
that had been purchased from the Hittites."
 
Now that their father was dead,
Joseph's brothers became fearful and thought,
"Suppose Joseph has been nursing a grudge against us
and now plans to pay us back in full for all the wrong we did him!"
So they approached Joseph and said:
"Before your father died, he gave us these instructions:
'You shall say to Joseph, Jacob begs you
to forgive the criminal wrongdoing of your brothers,
who treated you so cruelly.'
Please, therefore, forgive the crime that we,
the servants of your father's God, committed."
When they spoke these words to him, Joseph broke into tears.
Then his brothers proceeded to fling themselves down before him
and said, "Let us be your slaves!"
But Joseph replied to them:
"Have no fear. Can I take the place of God?
Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good,
to achieve his present end, the survival of many people.
Therefore have no fear.
I will provide for you and for your children."
By thus speaking kindly to them, he reassured them.
 
Joseph remained in Egypt, together with his father's family.
He lived a hundred and ten years.
He saw Ephraim's children to the third generation,
and the children of Manasseh's son Machir
were also born on Joseph's knees.
 
Joseph said to his brothers: "I am about to die.
God will surely take care of you and lead you out of this land to the land
that he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."
Then, putting the sons of Israel under oath, he continued,
"When God thus takes care of you,
you must bring my bones up with you from this place."
Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Gn 49:29-32; 50:15-26a

In the passage from Genesis today we hear the final chapters of the life of Jacob and then Joseph. We see, following the death of Jacob, the fidelity of Joseph to God’s rule as he forgoes any thoughts of retribution against those brothers of his who had sold him into slavery. God’s plan was clearly revealed and the actions of Joseph’s brothers were forgiven. The line of Abraham continues as Joseph, on his death bed, predicts the exodus from the land of Egypt to come. (“God will surely take care of you and lead you out of this land to the land that he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.")
 
CCC: Gn 50:20 312
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7
 
R. (see Psalm 69:33) Be glad you lowly ones; may your hearts be glad!
 
Give thanks to the LORD, invoke his name;
make known among the nations his deeds.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
R. Be glad you lowly ones; may your hearts be glad!
 
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
Look to the LORD in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.
R. Be glad you lowly ones; may your hearts be glad!
 
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the LORD, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R. Be glad you lowly ones; may your hearts be glad!
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7
 
Psalm 105 is a song of thanksgiving. In this section, the singer gives thanks to God for the tradition of Abraham’s descendants and the salvation that is shown through their story.
 
CCC: Ps 105:3 30
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Gospel: Matthew 10:24-33
 
Jesus said to his Apostles:
"No disciple is above his teacher,
no slave above his master.
It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher,
for the slave that he become like his master.
If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul,
how much more those of his household!
 
"Therefore do not be afraid of them.
Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed,
nor secret that will not be known.
What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light;
what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.
And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul;
rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy
both soul and body in Gehenna.
Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin?
Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge.
Even all the hairs of your head are counted.
So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Everyone who acknowledges me before others
I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.
But whoever denies me before others,
I will deny before my heavenly Father."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Mt 10:24-33
 
Jesus concludes his instructions to the Apostles as he sends them out. Here he tells them that they go with his authority and his purpose, which may be hidden from others, but which they will proclaim from “the housetops.” He tells them not to fear the persecution he has told them they will face. Fear should be absent, because while the body may be killed, their souls are safe with him. He concludes this passage telling them that the Father is watching over them, and they have nothing to fear.

"The disciple is not above his teacher, nor the servant above his lord.  How well Jesus knows the human passion to surpass, to overtake, to win, to be-greater-than! How difficult it is for us as disciples to realize the truth that real growth and movement consist in staying where we are, that is, in our condition as disciples and servants! We naturally associate advancing and growing with "going up in the world," with "becoming someone." But the Lord reveals in his person that the way that truly leads up to God must first lead downward. The eternal, divine Word "humbled himself, and in obedience accepted even death. [...] Therefore God raised him  to the heights [...] so that [...] every  tongue should confess  'Jesus Christ is Lord " (Philippians 2:8-11). [5]
 
CCC: Mt 10:25 765; Mt 10:25 765; Mt 10:28 363, 1034; Mt 10:29-31 305; Mt 10:32-33 1816; Mt 10:32 14, 2145
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Reflection:
 
Today in St. Matthew’s Gospel we find the paradox of our faith clearly exemplified. Like the friends of Jesus (his disciples), we are called to him and sent into the world. Like the Twelve, we are uncertain and feel unworthy to accept this great task. On top of our feelings of inadequacy, we are afraid. What if we fail to speak the right words? What if we are rebuffed and rejected? What if our very mission brings us into a situation where we can be physically harmed?
 
These feelings were all present in the disciples. To calm those fears, Jesus explains to them that, going in his name, they go with his authority. In addition, the Lord points out that they should not fear physical harm. First, they should not fear it because the important part of who they are is safe from any harm. They (we) belong to him and our spirits are thus guarded from eternal death which should be their (and our) greatest fear. They are also told that since they go in the Lord’s name, the Father watches over them and will keep them from harm.
 
As we see in Genesis as God’s plan for Jacob and Joseph comes to a close, God will watch over us as he did our brothers and sisters gone before us in faith. The great covenant made with Abraham has been overshadowed by Christ’s covenant with us – the new covenant. Through that covenant a promise was made, that we who love God and our neighbors as Christ taught us would not perish.
 
We are called and sent like the first disciples of Christ. We go into the world now to carry the good news especially to those who live in darkness. May we never fear in this effort, confident that God is with us, watching over us. In him is our strength and hope.
 
Pax
 

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[2] The Icon is “Saint Bonaventure” Artist and date are unknown.
[3] S.S. Commemoratio
[4] The readings are taken from the New American Bible, with the exception of the psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This republication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
[5] Fire of Mercy Heart of the Word Volume I, Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA, © 1996 p. 573.

Memorial of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin A I

Additional Information about St. Kateri Tekakwitha

 
Suggested proper for the Memorial of St. Kateri Tekakwitha
or texts may be taken from the Common of Virgins
 
Outside the US the Optional Memorial of Saint Camillus De Lellis is celebrated (moved to July 18 in the US.)

“Saint Kateri Tekakwitha”
Artist and date are unknown

Readings for Friday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time [1]
 
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [2]
 
Readings and Commentary:[3]
 
Reading 1: Genesis 46:1-7, 28-30
 
Israel set out with all that was his.
When he arrived at Beer-sheba,
he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.
There God, speaking to Israel in a vision by night, called,
"Jacob! Jacob!"
He answered, "Here I am."
Then he said: "I am God, the God of your father.
Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt,
for there I will make you a great nation.
Not only will I go down to Egypt with you;
I will also bring you back here, after Joseph has closed your eyes."
 
So Jacob departed from Beer-sheba,
and the sons of Israel
put their father and their wives and children
on the wagons that Pharaoh had sent for his transport.
They took with them their livestock
and the possessions they had acquired in the land of Canaan.
Thus Jacob and all his descendants migrated to Egypt.
His sons and his grandsons, his daughters and his granddaughters
all his descendants—he took with him to Egypt.
 
Israel had sent Judah ahead to Joseph,
so that he might meet him in Goshen.
On his arrival in the region of Goshen,
Joseph hitched the horses to his chariot
and rode to meet his father Israel in Goshen.
As soon as Joseph saw him, he flung himself on his neck
and wept a long time in his arms.
And Israel said to Joseph, "At last I can die,
now that I have seen for myself that Joseph is still alive."
-------------------------------------------
Commentary on Gn 46:1-7, 28-30
 
"Jacob goes down to Egypt forced by the famine which is ravaging the land of Canaan (cf. Genesis 47:4). The Lord has prepared the way for him by means of a series of painful events and a series of tests whose meaning is now plain to see." [4]
 
“Jacob's status is not reduced by his going into Egypt; on the contrary, it is enhanced and underlined: 'For, what does he need if God goes with him? [...] Who is as powerful in his homeland as Jacob was in a strange country? Who had such abundance of wealth, as he had in a time of famine? Who was as strong in his youth, as this man was in his old age? [...] Who was as rich in his kingdom, as this man on his pilgrimage? He even blessed kings [...], and who will call him poor whom the world was not worthy to know? for his company was in heaven, (St. Ambrose, ‘De Iacob Et Vita Beata', 2, 9. 38)." [5]

After being told years earlier that his son Joseph had been killed and been shown the bloodied coat he had given Joseph (Genesis 37:20-36), Jacob (Israel) and his son are reunited and the promise of God is fulfilled. Jacob travels to Egypt on God’s reassurance that he will not only be returned to the land he had been given, but that Joseph would “close his eyes,” a burial ritual.
 
-------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 37:3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40
 
R. (39a) The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
 
Trust in the LORD and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your heart’s requests.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
 
The LORD watches over the lives of the wholehearted;
their inheritance lasts forever.
They are not put to shame in an evil time;
in days of famine they have plenty.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
 
Turn from evil and do good,
that you may abide forever;
For the LORD loves what is right,
and forsakes not his faithful ones.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
 
The salvation of the just is from the LORD;
he is their refuge in time of distress.
And the LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
-------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 37:3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40
 
This didactic selection from Psalm 37 promises the salvation of those who hear God’s voice and trust in him.  Central to this passage is the fidelity of God to those who are faithful.  Salvation for them is assured if they trust in him and take refuge in their faith. The author responds to the question: why do the wicked prosper? In these strophes, it continues the plea to be faithful to God, and remain steadfast in the time of adversity. The psalmist adds that those who turn away should return and God will give them salvation.
 
-------------------------------------------
Gospel: Matthew 10:16-23
 
Jesus said to his Apostles:
"Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves;
so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.
But beware of men,
for they will hand you over to courts
and scourge you in their synagogues,
and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake
as a witness before them and the pagans.
When they hand you over,
do not worry about how you are to speak
or what you are to say.
You will be given at that moment what you are to say.
For it will not be you who speak
but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Brother will hand over brother to death,
and the father his child;
children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.
 
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but whoever endures to the end will be saved.
When they persecute you in one town, flee to another.
Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel
before the Son of Man comes."
-------------------------------------------
Commentary on Mt 10:16-23
 
“So long as we continue to behave as sheep, we are victorious. Even if ten thousand wolves surround us, we conquer and are victorious.  But the moment we become wolves, we are conquered, for we lose the help of the shepherd.  He is the shepherd of sheep, not of wolves.  If he leaves you and goes away, it is because you do not allow him to show his power.” (St. John Chrysostom, Homilie in Mattheum, 33.)
 
Jesus concludes his instruction to the Apostles in this selection from Matthew’s Gospel. We begin to hear about the persecutions that attend the spreading of the Gospel. Those who spread that Good News are encouraged not to worry about an apologia (defense), but rather to trust in the Holy Spirit, the Father “speaking through you.”
 
Matthew’s final statement, referring to the coming of the Son of Man, has a couple of possible explanations. First it could be referring to the return of Christ after his crucifixion. It could also mean the punishment of the unbelieving Jewish people by the destruction of the temple by the Romans in 70 AD.
 
CCC: Mt 10:16 764; Mt 10:19-20 728; Mt 10:22 161, 1821
-------------------------------------------
Reflection:
 
“See how they love one another.” (While this sounds biblical it is actually popularized form of a quote from Tertullian’s noted Apologia [39.6] written in the third century.)  The implication is that non-Christians would be able to identify us by the way we behave toward one another (and others as well, since the injunction to love one’s neighbor does not simply mean other Christians).  This action of “loving one another” is an outward sign of an interior faith.  There are a number of factors that must be present before we demonstrate to the world that we are Christian through our actions.
 
In the story unfolding in Genesis we see Jacob (Israel) challenged to give up his belief in God’s love and mercy by the events taking place in his life.  He was led to believe by his sons that his favored son, Joseph, had been killed.  In spite of this evidence of his eyes, God promised Jacob he would see Joseph again before he died.  What elevates Jacob to the status of patriarch of the faith is that, even though he had been convinced that Joseph was dead, he believed God’s promise.  His faith was strong in the face of overwhelming physical evidence to the contrary.
 
In St. Matthew’s Gospel Jesus warns the disciples that they will have their faith tested as well.  He tells them “I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves.”  Indeed, all but one of the Twelve will be killed by those to whom they are sent.  In all cases, the Apostles are elevated to that same holy status as Jacob, all save one – Judas.  Judas’ failure was not that he turned Jesus over to be executed.  His failure was that he negotiated on a key point of faith.  He could not accept that Jesus was meant to fulfill the prophecy of the Messiah in the way he ultimately did, through humble service.
 
As in these two examples (Jacob and the disciples), each of us also faces challenges to our faith.  Like Judas, we are offered the option of negotiating the core values that make us Christian.  We can choose an easier path, ignoring the poor and marginalized, choosing our own comfort over the greater good of our neighbors, selfishness over generosity.  These choices face us each day. We pray for the intercession of those who have gone before us in faith. May we be steadfast in our love of God and neighbor, thereby maintaining our friendship with Christ.
 
Pax

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[1] The picture is Saint Kateri Tekakwitha” Artist and date are unknown.
[2] S.S. Commemoratio
[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible, with the exception of the psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This republication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
[4] The Navarre Bible: “Pentateuch”, Scepter Publishers, Princeton, NJ, © 2003, p. 212.
[5] Ibid. pp. 213-14.

 

Memorial of Saint Benedict, Abbot

Proper readings for the Memorial of St. Benedict

Biographical Information about St. Benedict

“Saint Benedict”
by Fra Angelico,1387

Readings for Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time [1]
 
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [2]
 
Readings and Commentary: [3]
 
Reading 1: 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.
-------------------------------------------
Commentary on Gn 32:23-33
 
In this passage we find Jacob in a wrestling match with an angel of God (while it is not stated in this passage that it is an angel, Hosea 12:5 makes that clear). The match ends in a draw but Jacob takes injury. This mythic battle gives rise to one of the dietary laws regarding eating the sciatic nerve of animals. In the end Jacob receives his blessing and is given the name Israel.
 
CCC: Gn 32:25-31 2573
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 17:1b, 2-3, 6-7ab, 8b and 15
 
R. (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.
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Commentary on Ps 17:1b, 2-3, 6-7ab, 8b and 15
 
Psalm 17 is an individual lament. The psalmist sings for God’s help in distress, having been firm in faithfulness. The Lord is called upon for justice. The psalmist asks for this help in spite of the tests undergone, proclaiming that God alone is the just judge. In the Lord and in his justice the psalmist is content.
 
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Gospel: Matthew 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."
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Commentary on Mt 9:32-38
 
In this selection Jesus continues his healing practice as he travels from town to town. We see growing opposition from the Pharisees as he does so. Almost ironically, Jesus looks with compassion upon the people ("his heart was moved with pity for them") as he sees that the religious leaders, the scribes and Pharisees, have not led them to God but abandoned them, seeking instead their own selfish ends.  The Lord recalls the prophecy of Ezekiel, predicting someone from the line of David as a new shepherd. This prophetic statement was fulfilled in himself (Ezekiel 34:23). And, using the same language we heard in Luke 10:1-9, Jesus prepares to send out the disciples to proclaim the Good News, the disciples are to become laborers.
 
CCC: Mt 9:38 2611
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Reflection:
 
There is a cliché that says: “If you can keep your head while all about you are losing theirs, you’ve probably misjudged the situation.”  Today Sacred Scripture teaches us the lesson of discernment.  In the reading from Genesis we are given the story of Jacob contending with what is defined in Hosea as an angel or messenger of God.  The purpose of the initial conflict is not mentioned nor is the identity of the antagonist explicitly stated.  It is presumed to be an angel of God because it blesses Jacob in the end and, in godlike fashion, changes Jacob’s name to Israel.
 
In the Gospel, we see similar confusion on the part of the Pharisees.  They are not able to accept that Jesus is of God and incorrectly assume, because of his authority over “unclean spirits” or “demons,” that he was an agent of the evil one: "He drives out demons by the prince of demons."
 
In this passage, St. Matthew does not describe Jesus correcting these misconceptions.  Rather he continues the story of Jesus’ ministry, describing how he spread the good news on his own.  At the very end of the passage the Lord states, almost it seems with a sigh of regret, that there is much work to do in spreading this good news and, in a very human expression, he states that he cannot do it alone.
 
Back to the lesson we take away from this pair of stories.  How did Jacob know that the one with whom he wrestled was an agent of God?  Could it not have been an agent of the devil?  The story never names the messenger.  Jacob’s opponent is called simply “the man.”  We assume that Jacob recognized him because, when “the man” asked to withdraw because it was nearly dawn, Jacob told him he would not release him until he received a blessing.
 
The story allows for ambiguity.  We presume that an agent of the devil could not have given a blessing.  In the same way, the Pharisees should have seen that Jesus could not have been what they presumed.  In their blindness, they could not see God’s love incarnate.
 
In both these situations we have our own challenges pointed out.  We are daily beset by situations in which we must determine if it is the will of God that something either happens or does not happen, or if it is an attempt to defeat God’s purpose placed there by the evil one.  Our choices in real life are often not black and white but many shades of gray.
 
How then do we discern if it is God or the devil that places these choices in front of us?  The true answer is in many cases we do not know.  Unlike the Lord we do not have the power to see into the hearts of people to know their intentions.  We do not have the ability to see past the illusions of good the evil one is so fond of creating.  All we can do is depend upon our developed image of God’s will for us and for the world. 
 
It is like a work of art we have created through our prayer and study of the Word.  We have developed a picture of God’s love of his creation and, through his Son’s revelation, his love of us.  When we are challenged by choices in the world, we must, like a puzzle we are putting together, see if either of our choices fit into that picture of God’s will we paint with our faith.
 
Today we are reminded that the difference between God’s will and the devil’s will are sometimes difficult to distinguish.  We are reminded that we need to have developed a clear picture of how the Lord operates in the world so that when we are confronted with difficult choices, we always make the right choice.  In this we offer our constant prayer for guidance.
 
Pax
 

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[1] The picture is “Saint Benedict” by Fra Angelico,1387.
[2] S.S. Commemoratio
[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible, with the exception of the psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This republication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.