Daily Readings - Mon Jul 07 2025
Genesis
10Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran.11And he came to a certain place and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep.12And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it!13And behold, the LORD stood above it and said, "I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring.14Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.15Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."16Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it."17And he was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven."18So early in the morning Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it.19He called the name of that place Bethel, but the name of the city was Luz at the first.20Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear,21so that I come again to my father's house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God,22and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God's house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you."
Matthew
18While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live."19And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples.20And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment,21for she said to herself, "If I only touch his garment, I will be made well."22Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And instantly the woman was made well.23And when Jesus came to the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion,24he said, "Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him.25But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose.26And the report of this went through all that district.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound stories of faith and trust in God's providence. The first reading from Genesis recounts Jacob's remarkable dream, where he sees a ladder connecting heaven and earth, with angels ascending and descending. This vision occurs at a pivotal moment in Jacob's life, as he flees from his brother Esau. Despite his uncertain circumstances, Jacob experiences a divine revelation, and God promises to be his guardian and to bless him abundantly. This encounter transforms Jacob, leading him to recognize the sacredness of the place and to make a vow of devotion to God.
In the Gospel, we find two miracles that highlight the power of faith. A woman suffering from a twelve-year hemorrhage touches the hem of Jesus' garment, trusting that even this small act will bring her healing. Jesus commends her faith and restores her to full health. Shortly after, Jesus raises the daughter of a synagogue official from the dead, demonstrating his authority over life and death. These miracles reveal Jesus as the source of hope and healing, and they invite us to trust in his power and mercy, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.
These readings remind us that faith is not about having all the answers or being in control; it is about trusting in God's presence and promises, even in uncertain or difficult times. Like Jacob, we may encounter unexpected moments of grace that reveal God's presence in our lives. Like the woman and the synagogue official, we are called to approach God with humble and persistent faith, knowing that he is always near. As we navigate our own journeys, may we, too, recognize the sacredness of the present moment and respond with hearts of trust and devotion.