The strength of His people

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary proclaim a Divine desire to be security for humanity. The encounter of Jacob with God in a dream at Bethel is described in the Book of Genesis. The message to Jacob is that he will continue to the fulfillment of the Covenant with Abraham and Isaac which will be realized in generations of descendants who are too many to count. The vision of a peaceful and secure world in which God is the intimate protector of people is presented. Psalm 91 is the prayer for security and protection of the psalmist and it is a prayer for support and safety which continues to bring consolation to many today. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus is requested to return to life the daughter of a synagogue official. The trauma of the death of a loved one shakes our sense of security. Chronic illness is an experience of daily lack of safety in health. The life in Jesus conquers illness and death. Total security is the state which Paul proclaims as Jesus living in him and we can experience as Jesus living in us.