Wrestling and healing

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today recall some ancient Jewish tradition and spirituality which informs us of the nature of God. The passage from Genesis reveals that a Jewish concept that God enjoys a good fight. Our lives provide many opportunities to place the “Why God?” question in our prayer and contemplation. In our struggle we may find some lasting truth or consequence as Friar Jude Winkler and Sam Pierre discuss today. The Messiah who is known to the Jewish Christian audience of Matthew heals illness like a Shepherd who attends to his flock. The demons were thought responsible for illness in Jesus time. He takes on the role of Divine Healer in fulfillment of the promises of the expected Messiah.