Our passage from Genesis today is a foundational story for our faith community. Jacob wrestling with the unknown man and being given the name Israel is one of the most researched in all of scripture, in part because of the setting of this holy wrestling match. You may have noticed that the place name is spelled two different ways in two adjacent verses: Penuel and Peniel. Although our scriptures are rife with misprints and redactions, both intentional and unintentional, the Peniel/Penuel situation is probably not the result of something so singular or perfunctory. Instead, it has to do with the varied and dynamic ways that communities tell their stories.

In the attention economy, everything is organized around algorithms, reels, viral videos, and outrage. Which is why today's Gospel can feel, at first, like a bit of a letdown. "The kingdom of heaven is like...a mustard seed. A little yeast mixed into flour. Treasure buried in a field. A pearl. A fishing net full of fish.” Really, Jesus?