The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to ponder the sense of worthiness that we assign to some people in respect to the love and grace they should receive from God and ourselves.
The reading from the Book of Genesis describes Jacob’s Dream at Bethel.
* [28:10–22] As Jacob is leaving the land on his way to an uncertain future in Paddan-aram, God appears to him at a sacred place that Jacob had visited only to take a night’s rest. Jacob’s unawareness of the holiness of the place underscores the graciousness of the gift. On his return to Canaan, he will again encounter a divine visitor in the form of the mysterious attacker (32:23–33) and, after his return and reconciliation with Esau, he will again go to Bethel (35:1–15).
* [28:11] Place: the Hebrew word is often used specifically of a sacred site. The ambiguous word “place” is used here, for the text emphasizes that Jacob has no idea the place he has come upon is sacred; only when he wakes up does he realize it is sacred. The place was Bethel (v. 19), a sacred site as early as the time of Abraham (12:8).
* [28:12] Stairway: in Hebrew, sullam, traditionally but inaccurately translated as “ladder.” The corresponding verb, salal, means “to heap up” something, such as dirt for a highway or a ramp. The imagery in Jacob’s dream may be derived from the Babylonian ziggurat or temple tower, “with its top in the sky” (11:4), and with brick steps leading up to a small temple at the top.
* [28:18] Sacred pillar: in Hebrew, masseba, a stone which might vary in shape and size, set upright and usually intended for some religious purpose. The custom of erecting such sacred pillars in Palestine went back to its pre-Israelite period; but since their polytheistic associations were often retained, later Israelite religion forbade their erection (Lv 26:1; Dt 16:22) and ordered the destruction of those that were associated with other religions (Ex 34:13; Dt 12:3).
* [28:19] Bethel: i.e., “house of God”; the reference is to the house of God in v. 17.
* [28:20] This vow: knowing well that Esau’s murderous wrath stands between him and the possession of the land promised him, Jacob makes his vow very precise. He vows to make the God who appeared to him his own if the God guides him safely to Paddan-aram and back to this land. (Genesis, CHAPTER 28, n.d.)
Psalm 91 is assurance of God’s Protection
* [Psalm 91] A prayer of someone who has taken refuge in the Lord, possibly within the Temple (Ps 91:1–2). The psalmist is confident that God’s presence will protect the people in every dangerous situation (Ps 91:3–13). The final verses are an oracle of salvation promising salvation to those who trust in God (Ps 91:14–16).
* [91:1] The shelter of the Most High: basically “hiding place” but in the Psalms a designation for the protected Temple precincts, cf. Ps 27:5; 31:21; 61:5. The shade of the Almighty: lit., “the shadow of the wings of the Almighty,” cf. Ps 17:8; 36:8; 57:2; 63:8. Ps 91:4 makes clear that the shadow is an image of the safety afforded by the outstretched wings of the cherubim in the holy of holies. (Psalms, PSALM 91, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Matthew, a girl is restored to Life and a Woman is healed
* [9:18–34] In this third group of miracles, the first (Mt 9:18–26) is clearly dependent on Mark (Mk 5:21–43). Though it tells of two miracles, the cure of the woman had already been included within the story of the raising of the official’s daughter, so that the two were probably regarded as a single unit. The other miracles seem to have been derived from Mark and Q, respectively, though there Matthew’s own editing is much more evident.
* [9:18] Official: literally, “ruler.” Mark calls him “one of the synagogue officials” (Mk 5:22). My daughter has just died: Matthew heightens the Marcan “my daughter is at the point of death” (Mk 5:23).
* [9:20] Tassel: possibly “fringe.” The Mosaic law prescribed that tassels be worn on the corners of one’s garment as a reminder to keep the commandments (see Nm 15:37–39; Dt 22:12).
* [9:24] Sleeping: sleep is a biblical metaphor for death (see Ps 87:6 LXX; Dn 12:2; 1 Thes 5:10). Jesus’ statement is not a denial of the child’s real death, but an assurance that she will be roused from her sleep of death. (Matthew, CHAPTER 9, n.d.)
Suzanne Braddock comments that the Gospel wraps it all up with two stories, both of trust, both ending in God’s loving healing.
I ask myself: do I trust Jesus with my failings, my impurities, my daily dyings, my lack of faith? . Am I afraid to “interrupt” him thinking my problems are too small to bother him with? How can I grow in confidence and trust in this God who says he will deliver whoever clings to him. I will call upon him and he will answer. He will be with me in distress.
In you, O God, I place my trust. (Braddock, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “Daughter, your faith has made you well,” by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD).
"So what did Messiah do? He did not let her go unnoticed but led her into the center of attention and made her visible. He had many reasons for doing this. Some might imagine that 'he did this merely for love of glory - otherwise why would he not allow her to remain concealed?' But what are they proposing who might say this? That he should keep her silent, that he should ignore her need, and thereby pass up miracles too numerous to mention, all because he is in love with glory? What an unholy thought, inspired by the most unholy one of all."
"What then is his intention in bringing her forward? First, Jesus puts an end to her fear. He does not want her to remain trapped in dread. He gives no cause for her conscience to be harmed, as if she had stolen the gift. Second, he corrects her assumption that she has no right to be seen. Third, he makes her faith an exhibit to all. He encourages the others to emulate her faith. Fourth, his subduing the fountains of her hemorrhage was another sign of his knowledge of all things. And finally, do you remember the ruler of the synagogue? He was at the point of despair, of utter ruin. Jesus is indirectly admonishing him by what he says to the woman." (excerpt from the THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 31.2) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 9:18-26 comments that once Jesus entered the house, however, he saw that the environment was one of disbelief and resignation. The mourners’ lack of trust in God was so deep that they ridiculed Jesus and his own faith in his Father. So the first thing he did was to drive them out of the room.
We have an omnipotent God who invites us to participate in his works of healing and reconciliation through our faith. If we imitate Jesus by driving unbelief from our hearts, we will be more open to his power. It’s not that he will reward our faith. It’s that we will have removed the obstacles that keep us from experiencing his work in us.
“Jesus, help my unbelief! I want to know your presence and your power in my life.” (Meditation on Matthew 9:18-26, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler discusses Jacob seeking a dream at the shrine at Bethel as he was fleeing from Esau. Some of his nature is revealed in his attempts to finagle a bargain with God. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus refers to those healed with faith as being saved.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces author Lerita Coleman Brown who considers the mystic Howard Thurman’s (1899–1981) insistence that everyone is a child of God. Thurman emphasizes Jesus’ teaching to love our enemies as a radical challenge to love as if everyone belongs.
Jesus, however, approaches life from the point of view of God. The serious problem for him had to be: Is the Roman a child of God? Is my enemy God’s child? If he is, I must work upon myself until I am willing to bring him back into the family.… If God loves them, that binds me. Can it be that God does not know how terrible my enemy is? No, God knows them as well as he knows himself and much better than I know them. It must be true, then, that there is something in every human that remains intact, inviolate, regardless of what he [or she] does. I wonder! Is this true? Is there an integrity of the person, so intrinsic in its value and significance that no deed, however evil, can ultimately undermine this given thing? If a person is of infinite worth in the sight of God, whether they are saint or sinner, whether they are a good person or a bad person, evil or not, if that is true, then I am never relieved of my responsibility for trying to make contact with this worthy thing in them. [4] (Brown & Thurman, 2023)
We pray to be open to the Spirit reminding us of the Love of God that is gifted to all people and opening our ability to respond to that Love
References
Braddock, S. (2023, July 10). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved July 10, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/071023.html
Brown, L. C., & Thurman, H. (2023, July 10). Oneness with Everyone — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC Daily Meditations 2023. Retrieved July 10, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/oneness-with-everyone-2023-07-10/
Genesis, CHAPTER 28. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 10, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/28?10
Matthew, CHAPTER 9. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 10, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/9?18
Meditation on Matthew 9:18-26. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved July 10, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/07/10/731200/
Psalms, PSALM 91. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved July 10, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/91?1
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Take Heart, Your Faith Has Made You Well. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 10, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=jul10
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