1ST READING
Following
the Lord’s will may involve a lot of wrestling. This is not something
to worry about; it is natural to struggle in appropriating God’s will in
our lives. Yes, the wrestling could be a form of denial, but when we
wrestle in faith, it can also be a good thing as it can help deepen our
commitment to it.
Genesis 32:23-33
23 In
the course of that night, Jacob arose, took his two wives, with the two
maidservants and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 24 After he had taken them across the stream and had brought over all his possessions, 25 Jacob was left there alone. Then some man wrestled with him until the break of dawn. 26 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. 27 The man then said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go until you bless me.” 28 The man asked, “What is your name?” He answered, “Jacob.” 29 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.” 30 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. 31 Jacob named the place Peniel, “Because I have seen God face to face,” he said, “yet my life has been spared.” 32 At sunrise, as he left Penuel, Jacob limped along because of his hip. 33 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.
P S A L M
Psalm 17:1, 2-3, 6-7, 8, 15
R: In justice, I shall behold Your face, O Lord.
1 Hear, O Lord, a just suit; attend to my outcry; hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit. (R) 2 From you let my judgment come; your eyes behold what is right. 3 Though you test my heart, searching it in the night, though you try me with fire, you shall find no malice in me. (R) 6 I
call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my word. 7 Show your wondrous mercies, O savior of those who flee from their foes. (R) 8 Hide me in the shadow of your wings. 15 I in justice shall behold your face; on waking, I shall be content in your presence. (R)
GOSPEL
Let
us remember that the heart of God is the heart of a Good Shepherd. We
need never doubt the good intention of God towards us — we can know for
sure that God desires the best for us. This is why we are able to move
forward with great confidence when we follow God’s will — if it is what
He wants, then He is going to do His best to make sure that it happens.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
I am the Good Shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me.
Matthew 9:32-38
32 A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, 33 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.” 34 But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the prince of demons.” 35 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. 36 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. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; 38 so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”
think: Following the Lord’s will may involve a lot of wrestling.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: __________________
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God’s special verse/thought for me today_
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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 2 Chronicles 19-21
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