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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider If only I can touch his cloak

If only I can touch his cloak

Published Jul 9, 2023 06:58 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Such is the faith of the woman that she trusts that even touching the tassel of Jesus’ clothing can bring her healing. We learn from the story that God actually allows insignificant things to effect his wonders. Some people ridicule the faith of others who look to receiving graces from God by the use of sacramentals. Members of a Catholic charismatic group use hankies printed with passages from Psalm 91 in begging God for graces. The fervor of the members of this group when they petition God can put to shame our tepid faith! Yes, even our own insignificance can be used by God to bring about his purpose. We need to be aware that God uses us, too, in the little ways that we are able to bring his grace to others.

FIRST READING • Gn 28:10-22a

Jacob departed from Beer-sheba and proceeded toward Haran. When he came upon a certain shrine, as the sun had already set, he stopped there for the night. Taking one of the stones at the shrine, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep at that spot. Then he had a dream: a stairway rested on the ground, with its top reaching to the heavens; and God’s messengers were going up and down on it. And there was the Lord standing beside him and saying: “I, the Lord, am the God of your forefather Abraham and the God of Isaac; the land on which you are lying I will give to you and your descendants. These shall be as plentiful as the dust of the earth, and through them you shall spread out east and west, north and south. In you and your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing. Know that I am with you; I will protect you wherever you go, and bring you back to this land. I will never leave you until I have done what I promised you.” When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he exclaimed, “Truly, the Lord is in this spot, although I did not know it!” In solemn wonder he cried out: “How awesome is this shrine! This is nothing else but an abode of God, and that is the gateway to heaven!” Early the next morning Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head, set it up as a memorial stone, and poured oil on top of it. He called the site Bethel, whereas the former name of the town had been Luz. Jacob then made this vow: “If God remains with me, to protect me on this journey I am making and to give me enough bread to eat and clothing to wear, and I come back safe to my father’s house, the Lord shall be my God. This stone that I have set up as a memorial stone shall be God’s abode.” Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]); Website: [http://www.stpauls.ph](http://www.stpauls.ph).

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