So... I noticed that the first reading at mass today is the Genesis story of Jacob wrestling with an angel. I recalled writing about that many years ago so I went deep into the archives (2007) and found what I was looking for. Tonight's prayer then is preceded by that background on the Jacob story, followed by a Night Prayer...
Whoever are the opponents here, we know several things for sure. Jacob was no angel. His name in Hebrew means "trickster" and indeed he had cheated his brother Esau out of his birthright. Even here in Genesis 32, Jacob is hustling off in the dark of night to escape his brother's advance on him and it's then that the wrestling event ensues.
The story may suggest a few questions for reflection and prayer:
We all wrestle with issues human and divine, flesh and spirit. Some of us may be in the first period of the match and some of us may be limping away from the mat! Our divine opponent respects our efforts and, though greater and stronger than us, will never take advantage of our weaknesses.
Image by Wayne Forte
The first scripture at Mass today was the story of Jacob at Peniel.
Jacob was no angel, but he wrestled one.
In the course of the night, Jacob arose, took his two wives, children and servants and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had taken them across the stream and had brought over all his possessions, Jacob was left there alone. Then some man wrestled with him until the break of dawn. When the man saw that he could not prevail over him, he struck Jacob's hip at its socket, so that the hip socket was wrenched as they wrestled.Some say Jacob wrestled with an angel, some say he wrestled with God. The scripture tells us he "contended with divine and human beings" and prevailed. It's also suggested that the wrestling match here is Flesh Vs. Spirit in Jacob's heart.
The man then said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak." But Jacob said, "I will not let you go until you bless me.""What is your name?" the man asked. He answered, "Jacob."
Then the man said, "You shall no longer be spoken of as Jacob, but as Israel, because you have contended with divine and human beings and have prevailed." Jacob named the place Peniel, "Because I have seen God face to face," he said, "yet my life has been spared."
At sunrise, as he left Peniel, Jacob limped along because of his hip. That is why, to this day, the children of Israel do not eat the sciatic muscle that is on the hip socket, inasmuch as Jacob's hip socket was struck at the sciatic muscle.
Whoever are the opponents here, we know several things for sure. Jacob was no angel. His name in Hebrew means "trickster" and indeed he had cheated his brother Esau out of his birthright. Even here in Genesis 32, Jacob is hustling off in the dark of night to escape his brother's advance on him and it's then that the wrestling event ensues.
The story may suggest a few questions for reflection and prayer:
What kind of spiritual wrestling do I engage in?The good news in the Jacob story is that God respects my efforts and allows me to survive my match with the Divine. I survive not because I am the superior contestant but rather because God calls the match before I suffer defeat. But I don't escape unscathed when I go up against God. His strong hold leaves its mark on me or, as in the case of Jacob's hip, deep within me. But it's a healing mark: I'm branded, tattooed, by my encounter with the Divine.
Angels are God's messengers: how do I wrestle with God's messages to me in the scriptures? in Church teaching? in my prayer? in my conscience?
Do I try to wrestle with God himself? Does something within (hurt, anger, disappointment) prod me to square off with God, hoping to pin and submit him to my own will and way?
Or is it the struggle between the flesh and spirit that provides the mat on which I wrestle with choices I make in life and their consequences?
We all wrestle with issues human and divine, flesh and spirit. Some of us may be in the first period of the match and some of us may be limping away from the mat! Our divine opponent respects our efforts and, though greater and stronger than us, will never take advantage of our weaknesses.
For Night Prayer, keep this scripture in mind and heart:
"My grace is sufficient for you,
for power is made perfect in weakness,"
says the Lord.
I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses,
in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.
Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults,
hardships, persecutions, and constraints,
for the sake of Christ;
for when I am weak, then I am strong... "
for power is made perfect in weakness,"
says the Lord.
I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses,
in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.
Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults,
hardships, persecutions, and constraints,
for the sake of Christ;
for when I am weak, then I am strong... "
I know that it's in my weakness, Lord,
and in my facing, accepting my powerlessness,
that I’ll come to know your strength
and welcome your grace to dwell in me
and to surrender myself
to your loving, strong embrace...
When I boast of my own strength,
I fail, Lord...
When I count on my own power,
I'm soon defeated...
When I believe that I can change my ways
- without confessing my sins
and my need for you -
I get lost in confusing circles,
on paths that lead me back once again
to the weakness of my own efforts…
I'm so often lost in doubt and fear
though I know you're there by my side, Lord,
waiting for me to surrender,
to free fall from my foolish pride
into your arms, into your hands,
outstretched to catch and save me...
Help me name my weaknesses, Lord,
and in my facing, accepting my powerlessness,
that I’ll come to know your strength
and welcome your grace to dwell in me
and to surrender myself
to your loving, strong embrace...
When I boast of my own strength,
I fail, Lord...
When I count on my own power,
I'm soon defeated...
When I believe that I can change my ways
- without confessing my sins
and my need for you -
I get lost in confusing circles,
on paths that lead me back once again
to the weakness of my own efforts…
I'm so often lost in doubt and fear
though I know you're there by my side, Lord,
waiting for me to surrender,
to free fall from my foolish pride
into your arms, into your hands,
outstretched to catch and save me...
Help me name my weaknesses, Lord,
help me face them, even boast of them:
that I might let go what holds me back
and gladly welcome into my soul,
your strength, your power,
your presence, your peace…
Send your Spirit to free me
from all my constraints:
to unlock the shackles of habit,
to loosen the bonds of fear,
to untie the ropes of self-doubt,
to free me from all that holds me back
from becoming the person you made me to be..,
In some small ways that I can see, Lord,
help me find in my weakness
your promise of strength,
your victory, your peace and your grace…
In my wrestling with you,
defeat me, Lord!
Let your mercy conquer
my sins and my failings!
Let the strength of your grace
overcome my pride!
With all that you have,
overwhelm me, Lord:
your victory, the prize I seek...
In the quiet of my prayer, right now, Lord,
help me trust that you’re by my side…
In the quiet of my prayer, right now, Lord,
open my heart to your love and your grace…
In the quiet of my prayer, right now, Lord,
let me boast of my weakness
as the path, the portal
to my finding my strength in you...
In the stillness of my prayer, let me free fall
into the peace you hold out for me -
and catch me and save me now, Lord,
in your strong and outstretched arms...
Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake
and watch over me while I sleep
that awake, I might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...
Amen.
that I might let go what holds me back
and gladly welcome into my soul,
your strength, your power,
your presence, your peace…
Send your Spirit to free me
from all my constraints:
to unlock the shackles of habit,
to loosen the bonds of fear,
to untie the ropes of self-doubt,
to free me from all that holds me back
from becoming the person you made me to be..,
In some small ways that I can see, Lord,
help me find in my weakness
your promise of strength,
your victory, your peace and your grace…
In my wrestling with you,
defeat me, Lord!
Let your mercy conquer
my sins and my failings!
Let the strength of your grace
overcome my pride!
With all that you have,
overwhelm me, Lord:
your victory, the prize I seek...
In the quiet of my prayer, right now, Lord,
help me trust that you’re by my side…
In the quiet of my prayer, right now, Lord,
open my heart to your love and your grace…
In the quiet of my prayer, right now, Lord,
let me boast of my weakness
as the path, the portal
to my finding my strength in you...
In the stillness of my prayer, let me free fall
into the peace you hold out for me -
and catch me and save me now, Lord,
in your strong and outstretched arms...
Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake
and watch over me while I sleep
that awake, I might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...
Amen.
Reading the story of Jacob near the top of this post
will help you appreciate this song...
Jacob's Song by Gabrielle Ariana
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