Grace is a free gift offered to us from God. It encourages us to cooperate with God's call in our lives. Today we hear about a moment of grace in the life of Jacob. Through his dream Jacob suddenly discovers that God wants to bless him abundantly and be with him wherever he goes. Jacob exclaims, "How awesome is this place!," because he realizes that God is intimately and truly present. Jacob sets up a stone to remember this sacred experience with God.

In today's Gospel we hear about another moment of grace. When the leader of the synagogue comes to Jesus for help, his daughter is already dead. Yet he has faith that Jesus can still somehow help her. His faith is rewarded. In a moment of grace, Jesus intimately takes the girl by the hand and raises her up. She and her family are blessed with new life.

Have you ever experienced a moment of grace? Have you ever felt God blessing you beyond what you expect or deserve? If so, you have received a gift from God. It is alive. You can return to this moment in the quiet of prayer; allow God to bless you again. Recall with Jesus… what was it like to be there?