Catholic Daily Reading + Reflection (Homily), 6 July 2021
Mass Readings, Reflection – Homily for Sunday July 6, 2021
Tuesday July 6, 2021
Weekday (14)
Vestment: Green
Today’s Rosary: The Sorrowful Mystery
St Maria Goretti, VM (Opt Men)
OGOJA: Tomorrow is the 4th Anniversary of the episcopal ordination of Most Revd Bishop Donatus E. Akpan, 7th of July 2017.
NINE DAY MID-YEAR PRAYERS FOR DIVINE HEALING AND RESTORATION Thursday 1st July – Friday 9th July
Day 6: PRAYER AGAINST THE SPIRIT OF FEAR
Every enchantment and invocation of fear being made against me, I neutralize you in the name of Jesus.
FIRST READING
Your name shall be called Israel, for you have striven with God and have prevailed
A reading from the Book of Genesis (Genesis 32:23-32)
In those days: Jacob arose at night and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and like wise everything that he had. And Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and Jacob’s thigh was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “let me go, for the day is breaking,” but Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” And he said to him, “what is your name?” and he said, “Jacob.” Then he said, “Your name shall no more be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “tell me, I pray, your name.” but he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” and there he blessed him. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “for I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his thigh. Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the sinew of the hip which is upon the hollow of the thigh, because he touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh on the sinew of the hip.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM psalm 17:1-2.6-7.8 and 15 (R. 15a)
R/. In justice I shall behold your face.
O Lord, hear a cause that is just,
Pay heed to my cry.
Turn your ear to my prayer:
No deceit is on my lips. R.
From you may my justice come forth.
Your eyes discern what is upright.
Search my heart and visit me by night.
Test me by fire, and you will find no wrong in me. R.
R/. In justice I shall behold your face.
To you I call; for you will surely heed me, O God.
Turn your ear to me; hear my words.
Display your merciful love.
By your right hand you deliver from their foes
Those who put their trust in you. R.
Guard me as the apple of your eye.
Hide me in the shadow of your wings.
As for me, in justice I shall behold your face;
When I awake I shall be filled with the vision
Of your presence. R.
Alleluia John 10:14
Alleluia. I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my own, and my own know me. Alleluia
GOSPEL
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers, are few.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 9:32-38)
At that time: Behold, a mute demoniac was brought to Jesus. And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke: and the crowds marvelled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel. “But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons. “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest,”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
Yahweh wrestles with Jacob and tests his endurance. He is given a new name and a new identity: Israel. This episode changes Jacob to a man of humility. Jacob’s experience is a paradigm for humanity that continuously ‘wrestles with God’ in prayer. We spent long hours seeking after God, struggling to know him, experience his presence, blessings, conversion and forgiveness. It is a battle of faith and perseverance. Paradoxically, in the gospel we see how Jesus’ own life is a battle of another type – a battle with the powers opposed to him. They charge him with the weirdest accusation, “it is through the prince of devils that he drives out devils.” Like Jacob, Jesus too was struck with the worst blows, but in the end his perseverance ensures his triumph. May we experience in a powerful way the presence of God in our battle with the powers of evil and emerge triumphant!
NINE DAY MID-YEAR PRAYERS FOR DIVINE HEALING AND RESTORATION “1 Peter 2:24”
Day 6: PRAYER AGAINST THE SPIRIT OF FEAR
Every enchantment and invocation of fear being made against me, I neutralize you in the name of Jesus.
Opening
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Invocation of the Holy Spirit
Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray:
O God, who taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may be always truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation, Through Christ Lord. Amen.
Father I thank you because you are not the author of confusion, thank you for the courage you have given me through your words. You spirit of fear, lose your hold upon my life and my family in the name of Jesus. I bind every spirit of fear in my life in the name of Jesus
As a Christian, I refuse to fear because God has not given us the spirit of fear.
Prayer Point:
1. I break every evil covenant that has brought or may bring fear to my life in Jesus name.
2. I command every terror of the night that has brought fear into my life to stop in the name of Jesus
3. I command all human agents using spirit of fear to terrify me in the day or night to stumble and fall in the name of Jesus. The fear of the unbelievers shall not be my portion in the name of Jesus.
4. I bind every spirit responsible for fear of tomorrow in my life in the name of Jesus
5. I close every negative door of fear in my life in Jesus name.
Reflection
Ps 91:5. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; [nor] for the arrow [that] flieth by day; 2Timo 1:17, Rom 8:15-16,Ps 23:4
I decree that every sickness, disease, oppression and depression in my life as a result of fear to disappear in Jesus name.
Closing
Prayer of Confirmation and trust in God
Lord, God Almighty, I thank you for protecting me from every form of evil and bringing me the gift of your divine health.
I thank you for breaking the chains of oppression and delivering me from every form of sin, sickness, disease and lie of the enemy.
I thank you for the powerful name of Jesus to which every knee shall bow.
Thank you for giving me your authority over all the power of the enemy. Nothing shall harm me.
Thank you for your full armor, your name, your most precious Blood and your Holy Spirit. No weapon formed against me shall prosper.
Thank you heavenly father for all your protection and provisions, for yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, now and forevermore. Amen.