OXYGEN

07 Jul
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Genesis 32:23-33

Jacob rose, and taking his two wives and his two slave-girls and his eleven children he crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream and sent all his possessions over too. And Jacob was left alone.

And there was one that wrestled with him until daybreak who, seeing that he could not master him, struck him in the socket of his hop, and Jacob’s hip was dislocated as he wrestled with him. He said, ‘Let me go, for day is breaking.’ But Jacob answered, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me.’ He then asked, ‘What is your name?’ ‘Jacob’ he replied. He said, ‘Your name is no longer Jacob, but Israel; because you have been strong against God, you shall prevail against men.’ Jacob then made this request, ‘I beg you, tell me your name,’ but he replied, ‘Why do you ask my name?’ And he blessed him there.

Jacob name the place Peniel, ‘Because I have seen God face to face,’ he said ‘and I have survived.’ The sun rose as he left Peniel, limping because of his hip. That is the reason why to this day the Israelites do not eat the sciatic nerve which is in the socket of the hip, because he had struck Jacob in the socket of the hip on the sciatic nerve.
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Matthew 9:32-38

A man was brought to Jesus, a dumb demoniac. And when the devil was cast out, the dumb man spoke and the people were amazed. ‘Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.’ they said. But the Pharisees said, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts out devils.’

Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness.

And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.’
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I will not let you go unless you bless me.

A lot of friends had asked me how research is like as a career. I paraphrase my supervisor’s words to us in one laboratory meeting: “If you want to be in research, you have to give up everything – good pay, free time, everything.” During my graduate studies, I frequently found myself in the laboratory outside of office hours, on weekends and even holidays. I was not the only one either. It was quite simple. If you wanted good data, you came back and ran the experiments. In the long run, research as a career option was not for me. There are others that do it well though and kudos to them.

Though I seem to paint a terrifying picture of research, the same dedication to ideals is true everywhere. People will work for what they believe in and they will work hard at it. We do not rest until we meet a certain standard. Jacob had the same idea in his tangle with God. He held on despite a dislocated hip. His determination got him not only what he wanted but proved that this was the man God was looking for. In the Gospel passage, Christ states how there are few workers to tend the flock. Not only are more needed but more are needed of Jacob’s quality; people who will give their all for the Lord to ensure a good harvest.

Serving Christ and His Church is not a simple task. We have to put in a lot to produce quality. Some of us may feel that there are no avenues for us to serve, that this or another ministry is not for me. That’s well and fine, but there are surely ones suitable for each of us if we just look for them. My brothers and sisters, will we just give up and let go of God or will we hold on steadfastly?

(Today’s OXYGEN by Aloysius Ting)
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Prayer: We pray for all those who are discerning ministries in which to serve the Lord, that the Lord may provide one which fully utilises their talents.

Thanksgiving: We give thanks to the Lord for blessing us with food and drink that meet hygiene standards.

Upcoming Readings:
Wed, 08 Jul – Genesis 41:55-57;42:5-7.17-24; Matthew 10:1-7
Thu, 09 Jul – Genesis 44:18-21.23-29;45:1-5; Matthew 10:7-15
Fri, 10 Jul – Genesis 46:1-7.28-30; Matthew 10:16-23
Sat, 11 Jul – Genesis 49:29-33;50:15-26; Matthew 10:24-38; Memorial for St. Benedict, Abbot
Sun, 12 Jul – Amos 7:12-15; Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 7-13; Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time; Bible Sunday