God Is Present Everywhere: Saint Michael and All Angels


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This past Sunday, we talked about how St. Michael shows us that more than just human beings are part of the heavenly company, the communion of saints, and the body of Christ. We also saw how St. Michael, in the fight against evil, reminds us that God has given us assurance we will always have assistance in our own battles with evil.

In today's reading from Genesis, there are some things we, as modern readers, wouldn't know that those originally reading this story would.

Jacob, in this story, is running away from his family and home. In his time, that would have meant running away from his gods too since gods were believed to be confined to certain places.

Jacob's vision shows that God is present everywhere. That's why Jacob is so frightened, because he thought in leaving home he was leaving God too.

For us, this is a message of hope. God has shown us love in the gift of salvation and has provided us aid in the fight against evil. This God who cares for us is everywhere, so we know God will always be present to help us on along the way.