July 4, Saturday Weekday

Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good!--Psalm 135:3

Mass readings: Genesis 27:1-5, 15-29 / Matthew 9:14-17

Give Me Your Blessing!

In today's Old Testament reading, Jacob and his mother trick Abraham into conferring the blessing meant for Esau, the elder brother, onto Jacob instead. Although there are arguments for and against the methods they employed, one thing is unquestionable: Jacob and his mother valued and cherished the blessing and went out on a limb to get it.

This reminds me of the blessing that's ours for the taking as Catholics each day -- the gift of the Holy Eucharist. Ever since I learned about St. Teresa of Avila's bold prayer at Communion time, I've adopted it, too: ''Give me the gift You came to bring!'' Like the Old Testament Jacob and the Carmelite nun, I value and cherish this birthright and know that it holds the One I need for the journey that lies ahead.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, bless the leaders of our nation to act with wisdom, compassion and justice.