St. Augustine Zhao Rong, priest & Companions, martys 

＊＊＊1st Reading＊＊＊ Genesis 32: 23-33

He took them and sent them across the stream and likewise everything he had. And Jacob was left alone.

Then a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he could not get the better of Jacob, he struck him in the socket of his hip and dislocated it as he wrestled with him.

The man said, “Let me go , for day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go until you have given me your blessing.” The man then said, “What is your name?” “Jacob” was the reply. He answered,” He answered “You will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have been strong-with –God as you have been with men and have prevailed.”

Then Jacob asked him, “What is your name?” He answered, “Why do you ask my name?” And he blessed him there. So Jacob called the place Penuel, saying, “I have seen God face to face and survived.” The sun rose as he passed through Penuel, limping because of his hip.

That is why to this day the Israelites do not eat the sciatic nerve which is in the hip socket because the sciatic nerve in Jacob’s hip had been touched.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Matthew 9: 32-38

As they were going away, some people brought to Jesus a man who was dumb, because he was possessed by a demon. When the demon was driven out, the dumb man began to speak. The crowds were astonished and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “He drives away demons with the help of the prince of demons.”

Jesus went around all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom; and he cured every sickness and disease. When he saw the crowds, he was moved with pity; for they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples. “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are only few. Ask the master of the harvest to send workers to gather his harvest.”

 

Reflection gospel：

“SEEING THE CROWD, JESUS WAS MOVED WITH PITY.”

This gospel reading may be divided into two subjects: one that concludes the healing activities of Jesus and the other introduces the context for Jesus’ next set of discourse, that is, the instruction to the twelve. In going to places to cure every sickness and disease, Jesus was motivated by compassion and mercy. The same intent prompted Him to send disciples to continue His messianic ministry. He saw the people needing care and direction and he acted on it.

Jesus is sensitive and attentive to people’s deepest need and cry. He hears them and sees them in their suffering that is why He was moved with pity. This poses a challenge to us Christians if we are to live out the gospel message. To be sensitive and attentive to the sufferings of people means orienting ourselves and sharing a part of us to them. At times this is not easy. What is preventing us to see or respond to the need and abuses around us? What could be stopping us to lend a voice to those who are maltreated and exploited? We pray for the grace to be more caring and compassionate.