＊＊＊1st Reading＊＊＊       Gen 28:10–22a

  Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Haran. When he reached a certain place the sun had set and he spent the night there.

He took one of the stones that were there and using it as a pillow, he lay down to sleep.While Jacob was sleeping, he had a dream in which a ladder stood on the earth with its top reaching to heaven     and on it were angels of God going up and coming down. And Yahweh was standing there near him and said, “I am Yahweh, the God of your father, Abraham, and the God of Isaac.

The land on which you sleep, I give to you and your descendants. Your descendants will be numerous like the specks of dust of the earth and you will spread out to the west and the east, to the north and the south. Through you and your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed. See, I am with you and I will keep you safe wherever you go.

I will bring you back to this land and not leave you until I have done what I promised.” Jacob woke from his dream and said, “Truly Yahweh was in this place and I was not aware of it.”    He was afraid and said, “How full of awe is this place! It is nothing less than a House of God;  it is the Gate to Heaven!” Then Jacob rose early and took the stone he had put under his head

and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. He named that place Bethel although before that it was called Luz.      Then Jacob made a vow, “If Yahweh will be with me and keep me safe during this journey I am making, if he gives me bread to eat and clothes to wear, and if I return in peace to my father’s house, then Yahweh will be my God. This stone which I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me, I will give back a tenth.”

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

While Jesus was speaking to them, an official of the synagogue came up to him, bowed before him and said, “My daughter has just died, but come and place your hands on her, and she will live.” Jesus stood up and followed him with his disciples.

Then a woman, who had suffered from a severe bleeding for twelve years, came up from behind and touched the edge of his cloak; for she thought, “If only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” Jesus turned, saw her and said, “Courage, my daughter, your faith has saved you.” And from that moment, the woman was cured.

When Jesus arrived at the official’s house and saw the flute players and the excited crowd, he said, “Get out of here! The girl is not dead. She is only sleeping!” And they laughed at him. But once the crowd had been turned out, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up. The news of this spread through the whole area.

 

Reflection gospel：

“IF ONLY TOUCH HIS CLOAK, I WILL BE HEALED.”

Two characters in today’s gospel have their own encounter of the healing power of Jesus: (1) an official of the synagogue, interceding on behalf of the dead daughter, approached Jesus in faith; and, (2) a woman who stealthily came to Jesus and secretly touched His cloak. In both cases the healing power of Jesus is sought. It is clear to them that what they have suffered from has become unbearable, and they are convinced that Jesus can deliver them favorable result.

Both may not even be aware that faith is the requisite to grant their intent. Nevertheless, they possess it even before their actual approach to Jesus.

The condition so that Jesus power may operate on the plea of the official and the desire of the woman (and in our life too) is faith. The only way Jesus; touch may effect healing (or some change) is through an act of faith. Faith prepares the ground so that the love of God can work in their/our lives. Faith is the key that opens up the door of heaven, so that we receive God’s grace. By being faithful, we share in the heavenly gifts.