The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with the idea that God works out the Divine Plan through imperfect people.
In the reading from the Book of Genesis, Isaac Blesses Jacob.
* [27:1–45] The chapter, a literary masterpiece, is the third and climactic wresting away of the blessing of Esau. Rebekah manages the entire affair, using perhaps her privileged information about Jacob’s status (25:23); Jacob’s only qualm is that if his father discovers the ruse, he will receive a curse instead of a blessing (vv. 11–12). Isaac is passive as he was in chaps. 22 and 24. The deception is effected through clothing (Jacob wears Esau’s clothing), which points ahead to a similar deception of a patriarch by means of clothing in the Joseph story (37:21–33). Such recurrent acts and scenes let the reader know a divine purpose is moving the story forward even though the human characters are unaware of it. (Genesis, CHAPTER 27, n.d.)
Psalm 135 offers praise for God’s Goodness and Might.
* [Psalm 135] The hymn begins and ends with an invitation to praise God (Ps 135:1–3, 19–20) for the great act of choosing Israel (Ps 135:4). The story of Israel’s emergence as a people is told in Ps 135:5–14; God created and redeemed the people, easily conquering all opposition. God’s defeat of hostile powers means that the powers themselves and their images are useless (Ps 135:15–18). The last three verses appear also in Ps 115:4–8 (Psalms, PSALM 135, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus addresses the Question about Fasting.
* [9:15] Fasting is a sign of mourning and would be as inappropriate at this time of joy, when Jesus is proclaiming the kingdom, as it would be at a marriage feast. Yet the saying looks forward to the time when Jesus will no longer be with the disciples visibly, the time of Matthew’s church. Then they will fast: see Didache 8:1.
* [9:16–17] Each of these parables speaks of the unsuitability of attempting to combine the old and the new. Jesus’ teaching is not a patching up of Judaism, nor can the gospel be contained within the limits of Mosaic law. (Matthew, CHAPTER 9, n.d.)
George Butterfield comments that God gives Jacob a new name, Israel, which means God has persevered or God has contended. In one sense, it is Jacob who has persevered. He has survived his foolish youth. Yet, he seems to have been given that name because, when it comes to Jacob, God persevered. He never gave up on him, never quit working in his life to change him, never made it easy for him. Jacob changed, so his name was changed to God has persevered.
Perhaps today we read this wondering what in the world God is up to in our lives. The story of Jacob reminds me that God may be unseen but that he isn’t through with me yet. His work may seem slow, too slow, but he is creating something out of me. When he’s done, I’m not totally certain what he will name me. Perhaps I’ll just keep the name George. But one thing I firmly believe: God will persevere. (Butterfield, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “No need to fast in the presence of the Bridegroom,” by Hilary of Poitiers (315-367 AD).
"The Pharisees and John's disciples were fasting, and the apostles were not. But Jesus answered them in a spiritual way and indicated to John's disciples that he was a bridegroom. John taught that all hope in life lay in Christ. While he was still preaching, however, his disciples could not be received by the Lord. Up until the time of John, the law and the prophets prevailed, and unless the law came to an end, none of them would subscribe to faith in the gospel. The fact that he said there was no need for his disciples to fast as long as the bridegroom is with them illustrates the joy of his presence and the sacrament of the holy food, which no one need be without while he is present, that is, bearing Christ in the light of the mind. But once he is gone, Jesus says that they will fast, for all those who do not believe that Christ has risen will not have the food of life. By faith in the resurrection, the sacrament of the heavenly bread is received. Whoever is without Christ will be forsaken, fasting from the food of life." (excerpt from the commentary ON MATTHEW 9.3) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 9:14-17 comments that we need to be flexible with the Lord as well! So how do we keep our wineskins fresh?
In Baptism, God filled you with the “new wine” of his Spirit. Through prayer, Confession, and service, you can be confident that the Spirit will continue to expand your heart every single day!
“Holy Spirit, soften my heart today.” (Meditation on Matthew 9:14-17, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler examines the blessing that Rebeka arranges for Jacob over Esau. The etymology of Jacob is connected to “grasper” or “deceiver”. Friar Jude discusses the Jewish preference not to mix crops, fabrics, old and new.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, penned descriptive names to invoke the Holy Spirit. In this litany, Richard shares these descriptions and invites us to contemplate what the Holy Spirit means for our own lives.
Pure Gift of God
Indwelling Presence
Life of Jesus
Pledge and Guarantee
Eternal Praise
Inner Anointing
Reminder of the Mystery
Homing Device
Knower of All Things
Stable Witness
Overcomer of the Gap
Always Already Awareness
Compassionate Observer
Magnetic Center
God Compass
Inner Breath
Divine DNA (Rohr, n.d.)
We celebrate the Presence of the Bridegroom through the action of the Holy Spirit in the events of our lives.
References
Butterfield, G. (n.d.). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved July 8, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/070823.html
Genesis, CHAPTER 27. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 8, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/27?1
Matthew, CHAPTER 9. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 8, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/9?
Meditation on Matthew 9:14-17. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved July 8, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/07/08/729899/
Psalms, PSALM 135. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 8, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/135?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Solidarity: Weekly Summary. CAC Daily Meditations 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/solidarity-weekly-summary-2023-07-08/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Day Will Come When They Will Fast. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 8, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=jul8
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