Reflection for Saturday of the Thirteenth Week of Ordinary Time
Find today’s readings here.
“Praise the Lord for the Lord is good!” (Ps. 135:3a)
I can imagine the first reading would sound a lot different if a public relations firm had a chance to polish it up a bit. Jacob and his mother, Rebekah, don’t come across well. They conspired to deceive Isaac, the son of Abraham. Jacob lies to his dying father to receive a blessing due to his twin brother, Esau. Jacob later flees, fearing the wrath of his brother.
This certainly is not Jacob’s finest moment. But his story in its entirety demonstrates how God works with imperfect followers. Jacob encounters God many times in his life and eventually reconciles with Esau. God made Jacob the founding father of Israel.
If I can accept that God works through my imperfections, perhaps I can begin to forgive the imperfections I find in others.
I tend to do one of two things with my own mistakes. Sometimes, I minimize them and act like they are minor blunders that I’d prefer not to talk about. And sometimes, I dwell on my mistakes and pore over my unworthiness. I don’t think either of those tendencies is very healthy.
When Jacob and Esau meet again, they are changed (Gen 33). Esau embraces his brother, kissing him and through tears. Jacob tells Esau that seeing his face is like seeing the face of God.
The first reading is telling me, at least in part, that I must acknowledge my mistakes. It is also challenging me to trust that God can and will work through my imperfections. If I can accept that, I believe that I will be more open to God’s grace. And if I can accept that God works through my imperfections, perhaps I can begin to forgive the imperfections I find in others.
