The part in Genesis where Jacob wrestles around with God is one of the most curious parts of the Bible to me. It seems so bizarre and it comes out of nowhere in the story of Jacob.
But, as I think about it, there is a point in our lives where most of us, especially the stubborn, independent types, are going to “wrestle” with God, though Jacob most likely wrestled an angel sent as a representative of God.
Something is going to happen to us and, in a sense, we are going to get into with God.
Now, when Jacob wrestled, he didn’t end up losing his faith, but a lot of us do at this point in the game.
Frustrated with God over something, we turn our backs and decide to go it alone. For me, it was because God had allowed something bad to happen to me and I couldn’t understand why He would do that.
When we go it alone, though, our lives become pitiable. We fool ourselves into thinking we’ve got it all figured out, that we don’t need God. Surface level, we might seem to have things figured out, but not so deep inside.
Generally, what happens is we slide into sin and become physically, emotionally, and spiritually weak and we become sick on some level.
Now, if we come to our senses, we will realize that going it alone doesn’t work and we will come to God seeking restoration—just like the crowds in today’s Gospel reading from Matthew.
Christ will see us in our broken state and have pity on us. He will never say to us here on earth, “Sorry, can’t help you, you chose to turn your back on me, so lie in the bed you made.”
He won’t ever say that. In His mercy, His heart will “be moved with pity” and He will heal our souls.
All we have to do, Catholic Pilgrims, is ask.
Live the Faith boldly and travel well this Tuesday.
