GOD CHOSE JACOB TO BE HIS FRIEND.

MY SHRINE AND MY BETHEL.

THE WORD OF GOD:
"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.” (Genesis 28: 10 - 22a).

Monday 7th July 2025, in the 14th Week in Ordinary.

The Patriarch Jacob had a rapture-like dream in his travels in the area of Haran. He had a dream:
"A stairway rested on the ground, with its top reaching to the heavens; and God’s angels were going up and down on it.  And there was the Lord standing beside him and saying: I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you are lying I will give to you and your descendants." (Genesis 28: 12 - 13).

"When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he said, “Truly, the Lord is in this place and I did not know it!”  He was afraid and said: “How awesome this place is! This is nothing else but the house of God, the gateway to heaven!” (Genesis 28: 16 - 17).

This dream changed the life of Jacob as he understood the implications for his life. He made a vow to God:  “If God will be with me and protect me on this journey I am making and give me food to eat and clothes to wear,  and I come back safely to my father’s house, the Lord will be my God."

Have you ever had a spiritual experience that changed your life? Our key Scripture invites us to be open to the experience of God always and everywhere because God is everywhere and ready to interact with us.

"When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he said, “Truly, the Lord is in this place and I did not know it!”  He was afraid and said: “How awesome this place is! This is nothing else but the house of God, the gateway to heaven!” (Genesis 28: 16 - 17).

Jacob is a key Patriarch in the Bible. His profile is different from his grandfather Abraham and his son, Joseph. Jacob is not someone you may call a ready-made saint like his son Joseph or Abraham. He is an ordinary guy like you and I.

God chose Jacob to be His friend. He called him and anointed Jacob as priest, prince and prophet.

The life and profile of Jacob should give us great courage in trusting God.

"I have asked you to trust Me and to place in Me alone all your hope and all your dreams for happiness and peace. Seek Me, trust Me, and all the rest will be given you besides." (IN SINU JESU).

Your very home may be your shrine where you encounter God.

The Church honors the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in July.

"Blood of Christ, victor over demons,
Save us.
Blood of Christ, courage of Martyrs,
Save us."
(From the Litany of the Precious Blood).

Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ purify and heal us.

For Prayers and Prayer intentions for the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/06/july-devotion-to-precious-body-of-jesus.html?m=1