“Crisis”

July 11, Tuesday of the fourteenth week in Ordinary Time
Memorial of Saint Benedict, Abbot
Daily Readings: 1st Reading: Genesis 32:23–33; Gospel: Matthew 9:32–38

All of us have experienced crises one way or another in our lives. Usually, it leaves us wounded. This wound can either break us or make us stronger.

Jacob wrestled with God and exhausted his strength, but his faith never faltered. He held on to God’s promise and embraced the risk it entailed.

 In the first reading, God showed God’s vulnerability to His chosen one as he accepted his defeat to Jacob. God kept his promise but, in the process, left Jacob wounded.

Most often, despite the many miracles, Jesus would receive negative feedback. His great love for the poor and faithfulness to do the will of His Father allowed him to be wounded by human doubts and expectations.

In the Gospel, God once again shows His vulnerability to the cries of the poor.

A priest once said in his homily, if you do good or bad things, you will receive comments, so do good instead. Sometimes we are at the crossroads of our lives, and we need to cling to God’s faithfulness to be faithful to our call.

Jesus was moved when he saw the crowd following him without a shepherd. There is much to do during Jesus' ministry. The most crucial part is to walk the talk.

Words are not enough; they need to be reciprocated with actual action. These are the shepherds needed to tend God’s flock—those ready to wrestle with challenges, crises, rejection, and death in following Jesus.