Good human relationships build on the foundation of trust. A quote printed recently on trust read, ‘To be trusted is a greater compliment than being loved.’ Trust once broken is difficult to re-establish. With God, all things are possible because God loves unconditionally. The ability to trust does not happen automatically in a relationship. Trust demands loyalty, compassion, dialogue and integrity.
The readings proclaimed at Mass today tell of a variety of individuals’ trust in God and God’s presence. In the Book of Genesis (Gen 28: 10-22) the assembly hears how Jacob was on a journey from Beersheba to Haran. Night came and Jacob lay down where he took a stone for a pillow. He had a dream about a ladder standing on the ground and reaching to heaven. The angels of God were going up and down the ladder. God spoke to Jacob in the dream. God revealed Godself to Jacob, made a promise to him and assured him of his presence and protection. When Jacob woke, he recognised and acknowledged God’s presence as he said, ‘Truly the Lord is in this place and I never knew it.’ Jacob wished to honour God in the ‘awe inspiring place’ and took the stone he used as a pillow and set it up as a monument to God. Then Jacob made a vow to God.
Jacob was ‘open to God’s humble and hidden presence’ as Pope Francis asked God’s people to be in his address at the Angelus on Sunday 4th July 2021, in the Vatican. That remark of Jacob deserves reflection, ‘Truly the Lord is in this place and I never knew it.’ Do I recognise that God’s omnipresence in my life?
The psalmist proclaims his trust in God in Psalm 90: 1-4, 14-15). The assembly at Mass respond with one voice and heart to the verses of the psalm saying, ‘My God, in you I trust.’
The Gospel also proclaims Jairus’ trust in Jesus as he asks Jesus to heal his daughter. God’s people also hear about the woman who had a haemorrhage and her faith in Jesus led Jesus to restore her to health.
These Scripture passages give those who hear God’s word courage to trust and have faith in God. These are stories of love and trust and they help those who read the word to reflect on his/her relationships with family, friends and God. It is good to ponder on what God might be saying in the events and encounters of one’s life. God assures us in prayer of his trust and love.
Today the Church celebrates the feast of St Anthony Zaccaria (1502 -1539). He was born in Cremona in Lombardy. He practised medicine for some time and as a doctor spoke to his patients about spiritual matters. Later he was ordained a priest. He taught children catechism and led the youth in their formation in faith. He worked for the reform of the clergy and the evangelisation of all. He formed the Clerks Regular of St Paul, later known as the Barnabites. Pope Benedict XVI acknowledged the efforts St Anthony Zaccaria made to evangelise the people of his time because of his true zeal and lively faith.
Stories of faith and trust abound in the Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé programme and these are accessible on the Grow in Love website
Website: www.growinlove.ie
Email: trial@growinlove.ie
Password: growinlove
We can pray to God to keep our faith strong and steadfast so to renew our efforts to grow in God’s love.
INVITATION
PRAY:
- Act of Faith/ Gníomh Creidimh
- Apostle’s Creed/ Cré na nAspal
SCRIPTURE:
- In your Bible read the story of ‘Jacob’s Dream’ (Genesis 28:10-22)
- In Grow in Love P6/ Fourth class, listen to the words of Ps 37, ‘Trust in the Lord and do good’ as you watch the video lyric
- Read the accounts of the healing of Jairus’ daughter and the woman with the haemorrhage in St Matthew’s Gospel (Mt 9:18-26).
ACTION:
- Write down the names of people whom you trust. Then write down the names of people whom you know trust you. Thank God for the gift of trust
- You might like to draw an image of Jacob’s dream
- Find out what Pope Benedict XVI said about St Anthony Zaccaria
- To evangelise means to share the Good News. What Good News will you share today about God’s love and mercy?
Sr Anne Neylon