Monday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time
Monday July 5, 2027
Daily Mass Readings for Monday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
- First Reading – Genesis 28:10-22a: Jacob dreams of a divine stairway, receives God’s promise of protection, land, and abundant descendants. Upon awakening, he vows to honor God if he returns safely from his journey.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 91: In God’s shelter, we find refuge and trust. He rescues from danger, covers with His protection, and responds when called upon, especially during times of distress.
- Gospel – Matthew 9:18-26: An official asked Jesus to revive his dead daughter. On the way, a woman touched Jesus’ cloak and was healed. Jesus revived the girl, and news of this miracle spread everywhere.
Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.
Matthew 9:22
Themes for the Readings for Monday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
The readings for Monday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 show God’s love and power. We see His promises to Jacob and the miracles Jesus performed.
- God’s Promises: God promises Jacob land, protection, and many descendants. This shows God’s faithfulness and care.
- Faith in God: Jacob trusts in God’s promise and vows to honor Him. This teaches us to rely on God in our journeys.
- Power of Jesus: Jesus heals a woman and revives a girl. This shows His power to heal and give life.
- Healing Touch: The woman was healed by touching Jesus’ cloak. This shows the importance of faith in Jesus’ healing power.
- Miracles Spread: News of Jesus’ miracles spread everywhere. This encourages us to share our faith and the good works of God.
- Trust in Difficult Times: Both the official and the woman showed trust in Jesus during tough times. This teaches us to have faith in Jesus no matter our situation.
The themes show us God’s care and power in our lives. They encourage us to have faith and trust in God’s promises and Jesus’ power to heal and save.
Reflection for Monday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
The readings for Monday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 reveal God’s promises and the power of Jesus. Through Jacob’s dream and Jesus’ miracles, we see how God interacts with His people.
God’s Promises to Jacob
In Genesis 28:10-22a, Jacob has a dream where God promises him land, protection, and many descendants. This promise shows God’s commitment to His people. He assures Jacob that He will be with him wherever he goes.
Jacob’s response is significant. He vows to honor God if he returns safely from his journey. This act of faith highlights the importance of trusting in God’s promises.
As we reflect on Jacob’s dream and God’s promises, we are reminded of God’s constant presence in our lives. Like Jacob, we should trust in God’s guidance and protection. We can rely on His promises in our own journeys.
Jesus Heals with a Touch
In Matthew 9:18-26, we see Jesus’ healing power. An official asks Jesus to revive his dead daughter. On the way, a woman touches Jesus’ cloak and is healed.
The woman’s faith is strong. She believes that just touching Jesus’ cloak will heal her. Jesus acknowledges her faith and tells her that she is healed.
Jesus then revives the official’s daughter. This story shows us that faith in Jesus can bring healing and new life. We are encouraged to have strong faith in Jesus’ power to heal and save.
Sharing the Good News
After Jesus revives the girl, news of the miracle spreads everywhere. People are amazed by His power and share the news with others. This spreading of the good news is important.
The sharing of Jesus’ miracles helps others to believe. When people hear about His power and love, their faith can grow. We are called to share the good news of Jesus’ works in our lives too.
By telling others about Jesus’ healing and love, we can help spread faith. We are encouraged to share our own experiences of God’s power and love with those around us.
The readings for Monday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 teach us about God’s promises, the power of Jesus’ healing, and the importance of sharing the good news. We are reminded to trust in God’s promises, have faith in Jesus, and spread the news of His works.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your promises and healing power. Help us to trust in You and have strong faith. Guide us to share the good news of Your love and works with others. Amen.
Reflection Questions
- How do you trust in God’s promises during times of uncertainty in your life?
- In what ways can you strengthen your faith, like the woman who believed in Jesus’ healing power?
- How do you share the good news of God’s love and works with others?
- What steps can you take to recognize and rely on God’s constant presence in your daily journey?
Homilies and Commentaries for Monday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
Deal Makers or Promise Keepers?
In her reflection for Monday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Sr. Megan McElroy shares how Jacob tries to make a deal with God after his dream of the stairway to heaven. Jacob is on the run because of his past trickery. He says he will follow God if God protects him. Sr. Megan points out that this is typical of Jacob, who often acted like a dealmaker.
But God does not make deals—He makes promises. Sr. Megan reminds us that God’s promise is steady and faithful. The dream shows there is no divide between heaven and earth. God’s presence is real and constant. Jesus shows this even more clearly through His healing touch and through the Spirit He gives. We are baptized into that same promise and are called to be keepers of it in our daily lives.
The Power of a Touch
God promises in Genesis to stay with us, protect us, and never leave us. That brings hope, even when life feels chaotic or uncertain. In the Gospel, two people reach through the crowd to touch Jesus—one for her own healing, the other for his daughter. Both show great faith. Their lives are changed not just by the healing, but by knowing Jesus saw them, heard them, and cared.
Msgr. Vlaun shares a personal story about reaching out to touch Pope John Paul II. That memory reminds him of how reaching out to Christ can change us, too. Just like in the Gospel, Jesus knows each person who comes to Him. We are not forgotten. Even though the people Jesus healed would later die, their healing brought them hope and courage. On Monday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are reminded to pray for others and live with that same fearless faith.
Don’t Ridicule God
In Matthew 9:18-26, two people come to Jesus with strong faith—a father who believes Jesus can bring his dead daughter back to life, and a woman who believes touching His cloak will heal her. Both are healed because they trust completely in Jesus. Their faith is bold, even when others laugh or doubt.
Matthew Kelly reflects on how this same faith should shape how we approach the Eucharist. If these people believed so deeply in Jesus’ power, imagine how they would receive His body and blood. He also points out that people laughed at Jesus then, just as many mock faith now. On Monday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, we are reminded to pray for those who ridicule God and to keep our faith strong, no matter what others think.
The Power of the Concrete
In this reflection for Monday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Bishop Robert Barron highlights the concrete nature of Christianity in today’s Gospel, where Jesus demonstrates his power to heal and raise the dead. He emphasizes that Christianity derives its power not from abstract concepts, but from the person of Jesus Christ.
Through his unwavering call to repentance, healing acts, radical forgiveness, nonviolence, and Resurrection, Jesus compels believers to transform their lives and offer themselves as gifts. Bishop Barron further explains that it is the unique depiction of Christ in various forms of art and sacred traditions that continues to speak powerfully and transform hearts and souls throughout Christian history.
Healing and Trust in the Lord
This USCCB video reflection for Monday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 draws upon the imagery of Bactine spray from the past to highlight the immediate effect of true perspectives presented in the Gospel.
It emphasizes the need for initiative in seeking healing and not being afraid, as well as the importance of praying for others and trusting in the Lord’s care. Just as the spray provided comfort through a reminder of a mother’s love, we find consolation and healing through our personal encounter with Jesus and the prayers we offer for others.
Resources
Book of Genesis: Jacob’s Ladder and the Covenant God Keeps
In Genesis 28:10-22a, we witness Jacob at a turning point in his life. Fleeing from home, he dreams of a stairway connecting heaven and earth. This powerful vision reminds us that God remains present even in places of fear and uncertainty. The Lord renews the promises made to Abraham and Isaac—land, descendants, and blessing. It shows that God’s covenant continues through Jacob, not because of Jacob’s actions, but because God is faithful.
This moment fits into the larger theme of Genesis: God shaping a chosen people through flawed but willing individuals. Jacob, who has just deceived his brother, is now being drawn into God’s plan. His response is tentative—“If God protects me…”—but it marks the beginning of his personal journey of faith. On Monday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, this reading reminds us that God calls us forward even when we are uncertain.
Psalm 91: Sheltered in the Shadow of the Almighty
Psalm 91 gives voice to deep trust in God’s protection. It assures us that God does not abandon us in times of fear or struggle. Instead, He offers shelter, defense, and rescue. This psalm speaks of angels guarding us and deliverance from hidden traps. For Monday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, it echoes Jacob’s dream and Jesus’ healing—God is near and active.
This psalm fits the wider themes found in the Book of Psalms: trust in God’s care, personal relationship with the Lord, and praise for His justice and mercy. Psalm 91, in particular, emphasizes that God is a refuge in hardship. It’s a prayer for those walking through difficult times, a reminder that no suffering is too hidden or small for God to notice.
The Gospel of Matthew: Healing and New Life in the Touch of Christ
Matthew 9:18-26 shows Jesus responding to two different people in desperate need—a grieving father and a woman suffering for twelve years. In both cases, Jesus brings healing and life. The woman touches His cloak in faith, and the girl is raised from death. These signs show that God’s kingdom breaks into human suffering with mercy and power.
This passage reflects one of the key themes in Matthew’s Gospel: Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel. He brings healing not only to bodies but to hearts and communities. His touch restores life and restores dignity. For Monday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, this Gospel reminds us that faith in Jesus opens the way to healing, no matter our situation.
Social Media Graphics and Bulletin Images
Jacob’s Dream: The Ladder to Heaven
Looking for a meaningful image to include in your church bulletin or parish newsletter? This image is available for download. Inspired by Genesis 28:10-22a, it captures Jacob’s moment of divine encounter in a vibrant, painterly style. Perfect for illustrating themes of trust, promise, and God’s presence. Use it to help your community reflect on God’s faithfulness in their own journeys.
Paid subscribers may download a large copy this digital artwork without watermarks, suitable for use in bulletins, social media, newsletters, etc., free of charge by clicking here. You must be logged in as a paid subscriber to access the file.
Only current paid subscribers have the rights to use the artwork.
Questions and Answers for Monday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1
Cycle 1 is used in odd numbered years and Cycle 2 is used in even numbered years. The gospel is the same for both years. For even numbered years see Monday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.
What is the main message in Genesis 28:10-22a?
The main message is that God promises Jacob land, protection, and many descendants. This shows God’s care and commitment to His people.
Why did Jacob vow to honor God?
Jacob vowed to honor God if he returned safely from his journey. This shows his trust in God’s promises and his faith in God’s protection.
What can we learn from Jacob’s dream?
We learn that God is always with us and keeps His promises. Like Jacob, we should trust in God’s guidance and protection.
Why did the woman touch Jesus’ cloak in Matthew 9:18-26?
The woman touched Jesus’ cloak because she believed it would heal her. Her faith in Jesus’ power to heal was strong.
What happened when the woman touched Jesus’ cloak?
When the woman touched Jesus’ cloak, she was healed. Jesus acknowledged her faith and confirmed her healing.
What did Jesus do for the official’s daughter?
Jesus revived the official’s daughter. This miracle shows His power over life and death.
Why did news of Jesus’ miracles spread everywhere?
News of Jesus’ miracles spread because people were amazed by His power. They shared the good news with others, helping to grow faith.
How can we apply these readings for Monday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 to our lives?
We can trust in God’s promises like Jacob and have faith in Jesus’ healing power. We should also share the good news of Jesus’ works with others.
What is the importance of faith in these readings for Monday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?
Faith is important because it shows trust in God’s promises and Jesus’ power. Both Jacob and the woman with the bleeding believed strongly in God’s care.
How can we share the good news of Jesus’ works?
We can share the good news by telling others about Jesus’ love and the miracles in our lives. This helps to spread faith and hope.
God’s Presence and the Power of Faith
The readings for Monday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 focus on God’s promise to be with us and the power of faith in Jesus. In the first reading, Jacob dreams of a ladder reaching to heaven. Angels move up and down, and God speaks to Jacob, promising to be with him and give him land and descendants. Jacob is filled with awe and sets up a stone to honor the place where God appeared to him. This story reminds us that God is always near and faithful to His promises.
In the Gospel, Jesus performs two powerful acts. A synagogue official kneels before Him, asking Jesus to bring his daughter back to life. On the way, a woman who has been suffering for years touches Jesus’ cloak, believing she will be healed. Both are healed through their faith. The girl is brought back to life, and the woman is cured instantly. These stories show the strength of faith and trust in Jesus’ power to heal and restore.
These readings remind us that God’s presence is constant, and faith can move mountains. Jacob’s dream shows God’s care and protection, while the Gospel reveals how faith leads to healing and new life. We are encouraged to trust God’s promises and turn to Him in faith, knowing He is always with us.
Your Turn
Take time to reflect on Monday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1. How can you grow in trust, knowing God is near? What steps can you take to strengthen your faith, like the woman and the synagogue official?
Share your reflections in the comments. Let’s encourage one another to trust God’s promises and turn to Him in faith during life’s challenges.