Message of 7-8-25

Published: Tue, 07/08/25

A Daily Spiritual Seed
Tuesday: July 8, 2025

Forum on Christianity and Spirituality
August 7, 2025, 7:30 p.m. CDT

Topic: TBA

See https://shalomplace.com/inetmin/forum.html for more information and registration.
YouTube presentation for July 3rd available via archives at link above.

Message of the Day

If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.
- C. S. Lewis

What do you think about the next life? How do such thoughts influence your time here on earth?

Readings of the Day

Genesis 32:23-33
Psalm 17:1b, 2-3, 6-7ab, 8b and 15

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.’

USCCB lectionary

Reflection on the Scripture

“I will not let you go until you bless me.” —Genesis 32:27

Jacob certainly understood the importance of a blessing. He wrestled an angel all night until he got his blessing (Gn 32:25ff). Jacob told the angel: “I will not let you go until you bless me” (Gn 32:27). Earlier, he connived and masqueraded to get his father Isaac’s special blessing (Gn 27:4-40).

It’s not unusual to see people leave Mass right after receiving Holy Communion. These folks unfortunately miss out on receiving the priest’s blessing at the end of Mass. If they understood the power of a blessing, they would wrestle for the privilege of receiving a blessing (Gn 32:25), rather than wrestling other parishioners for the chance of beating the parking lot traffic after Mass.

Many people think that blessings are prayers for good things to happen. No, blessings are not prayers from us to God, but blessings are from God to and through us. The blessings at the end of Mass and in the other Sacraments have the potential to re-create the world.

When we treat a blessing as nothing important, it’s not a neutral choice. Biblically, the opposite of a blessing is a curse. A curse may enter in if a blessing is relinquished (see Dt 27:12—28:68). Therefore, it’s very important to be like Jacob and seek blessing. God the Father desires to overwhelm us with blessings (Dt 28:2). Do we in turn desire to let God overwhelm us?

Prayer: “May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear Him!” (Ps 67:8)

Promise: Jesus “cured every sickness and disease.” —Mt 9:35

Presentation Ministries

Amazon Gift Cards: Good for any occasion.

Spiritual Reading

The Practice of the Presence of God: The Best Rule of Holy Life, by Brother Lawrence (1611 - 1691). Christian Classics Ethereal Library.
https://ccel.org/ccel/lawrence/practice/practice

Ninth Letter

Enclosing a letter to a corresponding sister, whom he regards with respect tinged with fear. * His old theme concisely put.

We cannot escape the dangers which abound in life, without the actual and continual help of GOD; let us then pray to Him for it continually. How can we pray to Him without being with Him? How can we be with Him but in thinking of Him often? And how can we often think of Him, but by a holy habit which we should form of it? You will tell me that I am always saying the same thing: it is true, for this is the best and easiest method I know; and as I use no other, I advise all the world to it. We must know before we can love. In order to know GOD, we must often think of Him; and when we come to love Him, we shall then also think of Him often, for our heart will be with our treasure. This is an argument which well deserves your consideration.

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