December 07: Jacob
Traditional Ornament: Ladder/Stairs
Reading: Genesis 28
“I am with you and will protect you wherever you go, and bring you back to this land.” (Genesis 28:15)
The people God chooses to work through are not perfect. Jacob is no exception. His past sins cause him to flee his home and settle far away from his brother, Esau, whose birthright he had stolen. On his journey. Jacob stops for the night to rest and has a dream where he sees a stairway reaching into the heavens with angels going up and down. God speaks to Jacob in the dream, assuring him that He will always be with him. God affirms that Jacob will receive His blessing – the same blessing given to his father Isaac, and Abraham, before him.
We might wonder why God would allow His blessing to pass to someone who had obtained it through trickery and deceit. Perhaps even Jacob wondered if he was worthy to receive it. When Jacob wakes from his dream, he is amazed and names the place “Bethel” which means “house of God.” Jacob’s dream reminds us that God is always with us and at work in our lives too. Wherever we are in life, God descends to us and is there to accompany us on our journey. Today’s reading is a good opportunity to reflect on how God is working in our lives, and whether we are receptive to His presence.
© 2017 Catechist’s Aide
Leave a Reply