How many times have we wrestled with a force stronger than us? A will stronger than our own, the pains and suffering we don't want and think we cannot bear, the evil and sins that besiege us, the good we want but are too busy to practise …? In today's first reading, Jacob wrestled with God after he and his pursuer had made peace, and was on the way with his family preparing for his meeting with his brother, Esau, whom he had cheated.

We can imagine Jesus wrestling with how to proceed when he retreated to Ephraim on the edge of desert, being hunted by the authorities after raising Lazarus (Jn.11). Is it really the will of the Father that he should suffer and die in Jerusalem for the sake of the world? Wouldn't it be better to lie low now and wait for a comeback to continue to help people? In the end, Jesus discerned that the only way in which he can fully reveal his salvific mission and identity is to go to Jerusalem.

In today's gospel, Jesus teaches us, his disciples, not to miss any opportunity to labour for the Kingdom, for it is God's will that all are to be safely gathered in.