“I AM WITH YOU…I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU UNTIL I HAVE DONE THAT OF WHICH I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU” (Gen 28:15)

⏰Monday of the Fourteenth Week of Ordinary Time 1 (10 July 2017)

????Gen 28:10-22a; Ps 91:1-2, 3-4ab, 14-15ab (R.v.2b); Matt 9:18-26

What a beautiful way to begin this new working week!

On his way to the place he was sent to by his father, Jacob stopped to rest at nightfall. He must be tired by then and probably filled with guilt after taking his brother’s position. And he was already some distance off home. He might be thinking that God has deserted him. Then came the vision in Gen 28:10ff.

So, today, God reassures us that no matter how far we go away from him, he can never abandon us. All we need to do is to recognize his presence and worship him as Jacob (cf. Gen 28:18ff). He does not turn anyone that approaches him away.

However, most times, we are the ones who move far away from him. Note that the same place that Jacob encountered God and named Bethel was the same place Jeroboam would build altars for idols (cf. 1 Kings 12:28-33). They totally forgot the presence of God.

Thank God the official in Matt 9:18-26 recognized the presence of God-with-us, Immanuel, and walked up to him for help in a very hopeless situation. His daughter has just died but he knows that Jesus has come to give us life (John 10:10), being the resurrection and life (John 11:25).

In your very difficult situation too, Jesus invites you to recognize his presence with you, and come to him to enjoy some rest (cf. Matt 11:28). He is saying to you today as he said to Jacob, “I will not leave you until I have done that which I have spoken to you” (Gen 28:15).

And may you be blessed by God beyond your imagination this week and beyond. May the protective hand of God continue to envelope you all the days of your life. Amen.

Have a grace-filled working week. Peace be with you.