The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today encourage us to act in response to the guidance and healing we experience in our relationship with the Divine.
The reading from the Book of Genesis proclaims 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 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 91 is a prayer of someone who has taken refuge in the Lord.
* [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) (Psalms, PSALM 91 | USCCB, n.d.)
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In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus heals the Official’s Daughter and the Woman with a Hemorrhage
* [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 | USCCB, n.d.)
Barbara Dilly comments that psychologists say dreams are just a process of the mind sorting things out and the dominant messages in our dreams are just affirmations of our deepest thoughts. That scientific understanding does not need to conflict with our faith.
I believe that if we, persons of faith, place our trust in God, we can sense times, waking and sleeping, when God acknowledges our distress and provides protection and guidance in our decision making and actions. That is because the minds of people of faith are oriented toward trust in God. And we can trust that like Jacob, God says also to us, “know that I am with you; I will protect you wherever you go.” In addition to praying for guidance and clarity, try praying “In you, my God, I place my trust,” each night before sleep. I pray it produces pleasant dreams. (Dilly, n.d.)
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.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that Jacob had to flee to the original homeland because of stealing Esau’ blessing. Experience of a dream in a shrine was very common. Jacob sees a ladder to heaven with angels and calls the place Bethel. “If God takes care” in a bargain is typical of Jacob. “Take care of me and You will be my God” The healing of the daughter of Jarius and the hemorrhage is shorter and different from Mark’s account. The expression “Your faith has “saved” you” indicates being healed both spiritually and physically. In Matthew, Jesus knows who touched him to emphasize His spiritual power. Jesus is ridiculed by the flute players and paid mourners who make the funeral fit the stature of the bereaved. Friar Jude comments on two types of miracles, healing and reanimation.
Dr. Barbara Holmes (1943–2024) shares her own personal “Jonah story”:
As I was standing at my law school graduation ceremony, I heard a voice say to me, “This isn’t it.” I was startled, and I said to my girlfriend who was standing in line with me to get our degrees, “I just heard a voice say, ‘This is not it.’”... Trust God, trust the Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth. Make your intention clear that you will follow as called, without exception. Make your intention known to God and wait for the Holy Spirit to lead you into the fulfillment of your vocation. [2] (Holmes, n.d.)
We ponder how our vocation relates to the vision we receive from the Spirit to make the love and compassion of Christ visible in the world.
References
Dilly, B. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved July 7, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-july-7-2025
Genesis, CHAPTER 28 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 7, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/28?10
Holmes, B. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 7, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/have-we-listened-to-gods-call/
Matthew, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 7, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/9?18
Psalms, PSALM 91 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 7, 2025, 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 7, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jul7
