Israel - A Man without Guile

Homily for Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary TIme

Names in the Scriptures are important because they usually describe something about their personality or their origins. In Genesis 32, Jacob wrestles through the night with a mysterious figure described as a man, but widely interpreted as an angel or even a divine being. As dawn breaks, Jacob refuses to let go unless he receives a blessing. The angel responds not with the gift, but with the question: “What is your name?” When Jacob answers, the angel declares: “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel, for you have struggled with God and with humans and have prevailed.” The angel changed Jacob’s name to Israel as a powerful symbol of transformation—both spiritual and personal.

"Jacob" means “heel-grabber” or “supplanter,” reflecting his earlier life of cunning and conflict—especially with his brother Esau. "Israel" can be interpreted as “one who wrestles with God” or “God prevails.” It marks a shift from trickster to spiritual contender, from duplicity to person without guile. This wasn’t just a rebranding—it was a reckoning. The angel’s question forced Jacob to confront who he had been, and the new name pointed to who he was becoming: a man of faith, resilience, and destiny.

Some scholars suggest the question “What is your name?” was the blessing itself—a moment of self-examination. By naming himself, Jacob acknowledged his past. By receiving a new name, he stepped into a new identity. And here's a twist: even after this moment, the Bible continues to use both names—Jacob and Israel—depending on the context. Some say this reflects the ongoing tension between his old self and his new calling.

Perhaps you remember the words of Jesus when he first met Philip. “Here is a true Israelite, a man without guile.” Yes, names are important. At the end of the Gospel that we heard on Sunday, Jesus tells the 72 disciples that they should be grateful that their names are written in heaven. Indeed, God knows us each by name and loves each one of us intimately. Let him whisper your name as you receive him this morning in the Eucharist.