In today's reading we find the story of Jacob - son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham.  I find Jacob a fascinating character.  His grandfather was always spoken of as an upright man who trusted God and followed God's guidance; and Isaac followed his father's example.  But Jacob - aw Jacob.  He was determined to do things his way.  As a second son (although only by minutes - he was a twin), he felt that he had to do whatever was necessary to get ahead of his brother - cheat, lie, steal - whatever it took to get ahead.  Does that remind you of anyone you know today?  Unfortunately it can describe many of the leaders of our country, as well as the leaders in industry and economics, today.  Anything to get ahead - and try to whitewash it all with a 'trust me'

Jacob went too far.  He was forced to flee the country.  In the night, in the wilderness - alone, abandoned, frightened - Jacob has a vision that convinces him that somehow despite his willfulness, despite his turning his very brother into an enemy, he has not been forgotten.  He sees a ladder reaching up into the heavens and realizes that God is with him.  God goes with him into exile. 

And God continues with him throughout his struggles.  Eventually Jacob is able to return to his homeland - with his wives and children and acquired wealth.  And in the end he is blessed by God, and given a new name Israel.

I too fled my home town when I was a teenager.  I too took a new name - casting off a childhood nickname - making a new life for myself.  Recently I have reconnected with the past - through facebook.  Yes - I used to be B--- W----.  Now I am Seeler.  But I am the same person, and God has been with me throughout my life.    The hymn I am thinking of now is "I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry".

The symbol for today is Jacob's ladder  - made of cinnamon sticks.

Monday - today's reading is the story of Joseph - Jacob's favourite son; a spoiled child who brags so much that his brothers plot to get rid of him, and who through a series of adventures becomes a ruler in Egypt.  Eventually he has the opportunity to forgive and befriend his brothers and the entire family (tribe) moves down into Egypt. 

The symbol for today is the many-coloured coat that Jacob gave to Joseph at the beginning of the story.

I reflect today on pride, and envy - and on forgiveness and the importance of brotherly love.

Tuesday - Dec. 10th - The burning bush. 

Generations after the time when the people of Israel followed Joseph down into Egypt, they were enslaved under harsh conditions.  And God called to Moses (you know the stories of Moses - the baby in the bullrushes, nourished by his own mother but raised by an Egyptian princess, standing up against an Egyptian overseer, and fleeing to another desert country, where he was taken in, married, fathered a son, and settled down.  Until --- until he was called by a voice in a burning bush.  "Go back to Egypt and TELL OLD PHARAOH TO LET MY PEOPLE GO."

I think of people who are enslaved today - both actually, and by poverty, and social and/or economic conditions.  I think of others who have responded to the call - people who have organized unions, people who have stood up against oppressors, people like Gandi, Martin Luther King Jr., and of course Nelson Mandella.   "Let my people go."   And how is God calling to me today?  Is my burning bush the call for me to go down to my church each week and welcome those people who come asking for help?  How can I do more to bring about change to help release people from their slavery and to live freely?

Thanks Seeler... a nice meditation on a text with clear connections to our own experience.

I have long taken light from that night in which Jacob wrestles with an angel. He says, "I will not let you go until you bless me." Seems a fine attitude to bring into an examation of the received text and its traditions of interpretaton. Not only ancient texts. The whole of life comes to challenge our capacity. We do well in holding fast in the struggle to liberate a blesssing.

Cheers...!

George

Wednesday, Dec. 11th - I just realized that I missed a day.  Yesterday was hectic for me. 

But the lesson for the11th day is foundational, so I will do my meditation on it this morning.

The Tablets of the Law - you know the story.  The Israelites were wandering in the desert after following Moses out of slavery in Egypt.  They seemed to lack direction.  Moses went up onto the mountain to commune with God.  He returned with two stone tablets containing the Law - the Ten Commandments.  The Law became important to the people of Israel.  It gave them a common identity, a common purpose.  They were the People of the Law.  It represented for them the covenant "God would be their god, and they would be God's people".  

Unfortunately, as time went by it seemed that they worshipped the very letter of the Law, rather than the One who loved them enough to offer them guidelines to live by.  I see a similarity between them who placed 'the Law' above all else, and those modern day people who worship 'the Bible'.  

Remembering the story, respecting the Covenant the encompassed the Law, I place a stone (made of salt and cornstarch clay) near the bottom of my tree.  (It's heavy).

Thursday, Dec. 12  (I know - I'm a day behind) - the story of Ruth.  (A short read - just a few chapters - if you aren't already familiar with it.)

I meditate here on loyalty, love and trust.  I think of people moving to new areas, new countries - Naomi and her family, refugees seeking refuge in another country to escape famine.  And Naomi making the decision to return to her homeland many years later.  And Ruth's courageous decision to go with her - and to adopt her culture and religion.   I think of people the world over, leaving their homelands for various reasons - war, poverty, natural disasters - and seeking refuge or a new homeland; learning a new language, new customs, new foods, new religion - or clinging to their own. 

To a lesser extent this would also apply to the many Maritime families who are fleeing unemployment, economic hardship, poverty to find work in the west.  I think of the difficult choices they make - take their family with them and try to relocate, find housing, schools for their children, acceptance, and give up roots, friends, extended family, familiar territory - or to leave their families behind, sending home money and visiting home when possible, but clinging to their culture and hoping that sometime the economy might turn around and they might return home.

My symbol for Ruth is a shaft of wheat tied with a red ribbon.

Saturday, Dec. 14th - the story of David and Goliath - the weak confronting the strong.  It happens over and over again in the Bible - younger brothers surplanting older brothers; women (Deborah, Ruth, Esther to name a few) influencing history from their lowly position; children (David and Goliath, the slave girl advising Namaan; the boy with the loaves and fishes).  And today we remember people like Nelson Mandela - a prisoner who became a prime minister. 

And we remember Mary's song:  You scattered the proud in their conceit.  You pulled the mighty from their thrones.  You raised the lowly.  You filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.

"And none shall be afraid."

The symbol for David confronting Goliath is a slingshot.