The passage about Jacob’s ladder is in the Old Testament reading.  Jacob has a dream of angels communicating for him with God.  God speaks to us in sleep too.  We may feel different when we wake up.  Do we listen?  Jacob acted on his dream, do we?

In Matthew’s Gospel, we meet the woman with the hemorrhage.  In Luke’s rendition, Jesus stops and says, “I felt power go out from me.”  He implies, “What happened?”  

Today, are you meditating deeply, and are you suddenly alert, eyes open, feeling wonderful … and noting some time has passed: an insight, new understanding has been received.  Are you surprised?

Meditation is a time of healing and growth.  Such prayer acts on both body and soul and can happen anytime, anywhere.  It can happen by personal choice or the Spirit’s “nudge” (insight).  Recognizing gifts that come to us personally or for others is essential.  And sometimes, we may not recognize the events until years later.

Insights received demonstrate that God, the Holy Spirit, is actively communicating with us.  His Real Presence in the Eucharist is real – whether awake or asleep, we are in direct contact with God. And since time is not urgent for the Holy Spirit, we can be thankful whenever we realize how God’s plan is unfolding within us, guiding us.

A daily time of prayer and adoration is a hallmark of saints, sisters, and brothers who share insights and works of mercy. Today’s readings encourage us to be involved in being proactive.  We learn to take time to close the door on the world and be present to Christ in the Eucharist and the Spirit within – we are encouraged to listen.

The Spirit speaks.  How do you want to respond?

Let us pray:

Lord, I believe.  Help my unbelief.