💖 HOMILY - JULY 8 💖

First Reading - Genesis 32:23-33

Gospel - Matthew 9:32-37

One of the most powerful experiences in life is the encounter with God that transforms us from within. Today’s readings present such encounters—personal, mysterious, and life-changing—and challenge us to allow God to shape us through them, so we can be sent out as workers in His harvest.

In the first reading, Jacob finds himself alone at night, wrestling with a mysterious figure until daybreak. This figure turns out to be God Himself. The struggle leaves Jacob physically wounded but spiritually transformed. His name is changed to Israel, marking a new identity and mission. Jacob’s wrestling symbolizes our own spiritual battles—those moments when we wrestle with God through prayer, through life’s hardships, or through questions of faith. These struggles, though painful, are often the very moments through which God transforms us. Like Jacob, we may come out limping, but also changed, blessed, and with a clearer sense of our calling.

In the Gospel, Jesus heals a mute man possessed by a demon, and the crowds marvel, but the Pharisees accuse Jesus of using the power of demons. Despite the opposition, Jesus continues His mission of healing and proclaiming the Good News. He looks at the crowds with compassion, seeing them as “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” This vision of a world in need moves Him to speak of the great harvest and the few laborers. His words are a call to each of us to be involved—not passively watching, but stepping forward as workers in God’s field.

Dear friends, these readings show us two sides of our spiritual journey. First, we must allow God to meet us in our struggles and transform us, as He did with Jacob. Transformation may come through wrestling, through silence, or through grace—but it will leave a mark and a mission. Second, we are reminded that we are not meant to keep this transformation to ourselves. Like Jesus, we are called to see the needs of others, to feel compassion, and to act. The world is still full of people who are like sheep without a shepherd, and Jesus invites us to pray for workers and to be those workers.

Let us ask God today for the courage to wrestle with Him honestly in prayer, to be open to His transforming grace, and to respond to His call with hearts full of compassion and hands ready for the harvest.