COMPANION 1ST READING Jacob knows that God is with him. His vow or commitment is merely a piece of didactic speaking that serves to emphasize the fact of God’s presence with him. This is to encourage all those who read this text that the same is true for them as well. We need to pray for the grace to believe that this is true. If we truly believe it, then almost anything is possible through faith. If we do not believe, then we will struggle to follow even the simplest instructions from God. Genesis 28:10-22 10 Jacob departed from Beer-sheba and proceeded toward Haran. 11 When he came upon a certain shrine, as the sun had already set, he stopped there for the night. Taking one of the stones at the shrine, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep at that spot. 12 Then he had a dream: a stairway rested on the ground, with its top reaching to the heavens; and God’s messengers were going up and down on it. 13 And there was the Lord standing beside him and saying: “I, the Lord, am the God of your forefather Abraham and the God of Isaac; the land on which you are lying I will give to you and your descendants. 14 These shall be as plentiful as the dust of the earth, and through them you shall spread out east and west, north and south. In you and your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing. 15 Know that I am with you; I will protect you wherever you go, and bring you back to this land. I will never leave you until I have done what I promised you.” 16 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he exclaimed, “Truly, the Lord is in this spot, although I did not know it!” 17 In solemn wonder he cried out: “How awesome is this shrine! This is nothing else but an abode of God, and that is the gateway to heaven!” 18 Early the next morning Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head, set it up as a memorial stone, and poured oil on top of it. 19 He called that site Bethel, whereas the former name of the town had been Luz. 20 Jacob then made this vow: “If God remains with me, to protect me on this journey I am making and to give me enough bread to eat and clothing to wear, 21 and I come back safe to my father’s house, the Lord shall be my God. 22 This stone that I have set up as a memorial stone shall be God’s abode.” P S A L M Psalm 91:1-2, 3-4, 14-15 R: In You, my God, I place my trust. 1 You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, 2 Say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (R) 3 For he will rescue you from the snare of the fowler, from the destroying pestilence. 4 With his pinions he will cover you, and under his wings you shall take refuge. (R) 14 Because he clings to me, I will deliver him; I will set him on high because he acknowledges my name. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in distress. (R) GOSPEL The official and the woman with a hemorrhage both have faith that Jesus can heal the sick. This is a tremendous grace to have as it paves the way for any number of possibilities. Without faith, it is difficult to live the life of the disciple. Walking the path of God’s will is never easy and on one’s own it is impossible. We need the grace and gift of faith to be able to live a fruitful life for the Kingdom of God. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel. Matthew 9:18-26 18 While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, “My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples. 20 A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” 22 Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured. 23 When Jesus arrived at the official’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they ridiculed him. 25 When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose. 26 And news of this spread throughout all that land. think: We need the grace and gift of faith to be able to live a fruitful life for the Kingdom of God.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Jul 2013 12:05:06 +0000
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