1ST READING
Today
we celebrate the Feast of St. Maria Goretti, a young girl who chose
death over the violation of her virginity. As she fought off her
attacker, she was mortally wounded and killed. Her example teaches us
that there are things worth dying for. Life is about standing for
something worthwhile – standing up for the good and not being afraid
even if it means dying for the values of the Gospel.
Genesis 28:10-22
10 Jacob departed from Beer-sheba and proceeded toward Haran. 11 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. 12 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. 13 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. 14 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. 15 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.” 16 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he exclaimed, “Truly, the Lord is in this spot, although I did not know it!” 17 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!” 18 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. 19 He called that site Bethel, whereas the former name of the town had been Luz. 20
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, 21 and I come back safe to my father’s house, the Lord shall be my God. 22 This stone that I have set up as a memorial stone shall be God’s abode.”
P S A L M
Psalm 91:1-2, 3-4, 14-15
R: In you, my God, I place my trust.
1 You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, 2 say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (R) 3 For he will rescue you from the snare of the fowler, from the destroying pestilence. 4 With his pinions he will cover you, and under his wings you shall take refuge. (R) 14 Because he clings to me, I will deliver him; I will set him on high because he acknowledges my name. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in distress. (R)
GOSPEL
Miracles
demonstrate the power Jesus exercises in His ministry. Miracles are
meant to challenge our faith and call us into a deeper faith and trust
in God. Jesus performs extraordinary miracles because He trusts God
completely and believes that God listens to His prayers. Like Jesus, let
us put our trust in the promises of God no matter how difficult things
might be. God is always in control.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.
Matthew 9:18-26
18 While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, “My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples. 20 A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If only
I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” 22 Jesus
turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has
saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured. 23 When Jesus arrived at the official’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they ridiculed him. 25 When
the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose. 26 And news of this spread throughout all that land.
think: Miracles are meant to challenge our faith and call us into a deeper faith and trust in God.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: __________________
____________________________________
God’s special verse/thought for me today_
_____________________________________
READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 2 Chronicles 19-20
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