Faith and Direction

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.

Spiritual Direction

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 

Trust and Healing

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today alert us to the need for patient acceptance of events that seem to be in conflict with our faithful relationship with God as we trust in a loving healing of our distress.

Healing and Trust

In the reading from the Second Book of Samuel, David Mourns for Absalom.

Psalm 86 is supplication for help against Enemies.

* [Psalm 86] An individual lament. The psalmist, “poor and oppressed” (Ps 86:1), “devoted” (Ps 86:2), “your servant” (Ps 86:2, 4, 16), “rescued…from the depths of Sheol” (Ps 86:13), attacked by the ruthless (Ps 86:14), desires only God’s protection (Ps 86:1–7, 11–17). (Psalms, PSALM 86 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, a girl is restored to Life and a woman healed.

* [5:21–43] The story of the raising to life of Jairus’s daughter is divided into two parts: Mk 5:21–24; 5:35–43. Between these two separated parts the account of the cure of the hemorrhage victim (Mk 5:25–34) is interposed. This technique of intercalating or sandwiching one story within another occurs several times in Mk 3:19b–21; Mk 3:22–30; 3:31–35; 6:6b–13; 6:14–29; 6:30; 11:12–14; 11:15–19; 11:20–25; 14:53; 14:54; 14:55–65; 14:66–73.

* [5:23] Lay your hands on her: this act for the purpose of healing is frequent in Mk 6:5; 7:32–35; 8:23–25; 16:18 and is also found in Mt 9:18; Lk 4:40; 13:13; Acts 9:17; 28:8.

* [5:28] Both in the case of Jairus and his daughter (Mk 5:23) and in the case of the hemorrhage victim, the inner conviction that physical contact (Mk 5:30) accompanied by faith in Jesus’ saving power could effect a cure was rewarded.

* [5:35] The faith of Jairus was put to a twofold test: (1) that his daughter might be cured and, now that she had died, (2) that she might be restored to life. His faith contrasts with the lack of faith of the crowd.

* [5:39] Not dead but asleep: the New Testament often refers to death as sleep (Mt 27:52; Jn 11:11; 1 Cor 15:6; 1 Thes 4:13–15); see note on Mt 9:24. 

* [5:41] Arise: the Greek verb egeirein is the verb generally used to express resurrection from death (Mk 6:14, 16; Mt 11:5; Lk 7:14) and Jesus’ own resurrection (Mk 16:6; Mt 28:6; Lk 24:6). (Mark, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

George Butterfield (2014) comments that in the Gospel today both fathers reach out to men who they believe can help, men they trust. The first man’s hopes are dashed. The second man celebrates.

David trusted Joab and he failed David in one of the most important episodes of his life. Jairus trusted Jesus and saw Death flee from the presence of He who is Life. The heading for Psalm 86 is “A prayer of David.” We do not know when in his life he prayed this prayer. We only know that, by now, he knows what Jairus knew. He knew that it makes a difference where you place your trust. He declares: You are my God. I trust in you. (Butterfield, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “The long-suffering of parents,” by Peter Chrysologus (400-450 AD).

"Let us, if it is pleasing to you, speak for a moment of the pains and anxieties which parents take upon themselves and endure in patience out of love and affection for their children. Here, surrounded by her family and by the sympathy and affection of her relations, a daughter lies upon her bed of suffering. She is fading in body. Her father's mind and spirit are worn with grief. She is suffering the inward pangs of her sickness. He, unwashed, unkempt, is absorbed wholly in sorrow. He suffers and endures before the eyes of the world. She is sinking into the quiet of death... Alas! why are children indifferent to these things! Why are they not mindful of them? Why are they not eager to make a return to their parents for them? But the love of parents goes on nevertheless; and whatever parents bestow upon their children, God, the parent of us all, will duly repay." (excerpt from SERMON 33.2)

[Peter Chrysologus, 400-450 AD, was a renowned preacher and bishop of Ravena in the 5th century] (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 5:21-43 comments that we may experience seasons when life is challenging, and we feel discouraged, much like the suffering woman. Maybe we have exhausted all other options and are losing hope that God cares about our pain. At these moments, we can remember the woman’s perseverance and tenacity as she pushed her way through the crowds to reach out to Jesus. We can trust that God does hear our cries. He will give us the strength we need.

Jairus and the hemorrhaging woman sought out Jesus because of the circumstances in their lives. They needed him that day by the Sea of Galilee, and they would always need him. And so will we. This is why Jesus came.

Whatever your current circumstances, go to the Lord today and confess your need for him. In that honest place, he will always meet you.

“Father, I need you. I know that if I reach out my hand to you, you will lift me up.” (Meditation on Mark 5:21-43, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the story of the death of Absalom and the deep remorse of David and the wish of the parent to change places with the son. The two healings of the Gospel are presented within a Marken sandwich. The presentation of these events in Luke omits the reference to failed doctors and the message in Mark that Jesus did not know all things. The reanimation of Jarius' daughter is not a resurrection because she will eventually die.

Brian McLaren points to the difference between domination and dominion in the Bible.

The book of Genesis is often blamed for the domination story because, in the Garden of Eden story, human beings are given dominion over the rest of creation (Genesis 1:28). People assume dominion means domination, but I don’t think you have to read the story that way. The nature of God in the first creation story isn’t God dominating and forcing the world into a certain mold. It is “Let there be light.” It’s a permission-giving power.

It’s such a fascinating phrase: “Let there be light.” And also “Let there be land, let there be sea, let there be crawling creatures, let there be fish, let there be humans.” It’s a permission-giving rather than a domination. Then when human beings are made in the image of God, and God says, “You can have dominion,” we would expect it should be the same kind of gentle presence rather than a dominating, controlling, exploiting presence. It’s not “Let there be exploitation.” It’s very, very different. [3] (McLaren, n.d.)

We are reminded to hold to our trust in God even as it might be questioned during the times in which we experience great suffering or anxiety for our loved ones.

References

Butterfield, G. (2024, January 30). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved January 30, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/013024.html 

Mark, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 30, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/5?21 

McLaren, B. (n.d.). The Story of Domination. Wikipedia. Retrieved January 30, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-story-of-domination/ 

Meditation on Mark 5:21-43. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved January 30, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/01/30/885407/ 

Psalms, PSALM 86 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 30, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/86?1 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Woman Who Took Heart in Jesus. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 30, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jan30 

2 Samuel, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 30, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2samuel/18?9