JULY 10 Mon Weekday Gn 28:10-22a/Mt 9:18-26

11 Tue Saint Benedict, Gn 32:23-33/Mt 9:32-38

12 Wed Weekday Gn 41:55-57; 42:5-7a, 17-24a/Mt 10:1-7

13 Thu Weekday [Saint Henry] Gn 44:18-21, 23b-29; 45:1-5/Mt 10:7-15

14 Fri USA: Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin Memorial Gn 46:1-7, 28-30/Mt 10:16-23

15 Sat St Bonaventure, Gn 49:29-32; 50:15-26a/Mt 10:24-33 (388)

16 SUN FIFTEENTH SUNDAY Is 55:10-11/Rom 8:18-23/Mt 13:1-23 or 13:1-9 

The Jewish Scriptures this week are about Jacob who, helped by his mother, secures the blessing of his father Isaac and enters into a convenant with God. We have only a few readings in our lectionary from Jacob’s story. I wonder if it’s because so much of it is complicated and unedifying. We should see his story for what it is: God engages humanity, sinful as it is, and mercifully guides it towards the Promised Land. “In you and your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing. Know that I am with you; I will protect you wherever you go, and bring you back to this land. I will never leave you until I have done what I promised you.”