Proper C24 - October 21st 2007

Readings:

About the Genesis passage:

There's an interesting reflection here by Dan Clendenin.

Joan Chittister uses the Jacob story as a paradigm for a "spirituality of struggle." In Jacob's story she identifies eight elements of our human struggle?change, isolation, darkness, fear, powerlessness, vulnerability, exhaustion, and scarring. But God doesn't leave us there, says Chittister, and in each human struggle she finds a corresponding divine gift: conversion, independence, faith, courage, surrender, limitations, endurance, and transformation. "Jacob does what all of us must do," writes Chittister, "if, in the end, we too are to become true. He confronts in himself the things that are wounding him, admits his limitations, accepts his situation, rejoins the world, and moves on."

Jack Miles suggests that the wrestling match was between Jacob and Esau - not Jacob and an angel.

Penniel became the name of the place. Penniel means "the face of God"

Jacob became Israel. Israel means "he struggles with God". "Your name will be Israel because you have struggled with men and with God and have overcome."

Jacob wrestles the angel by James Cordova

Other artworks:

from the Ratner Museum

This is by Wayne Forte:

Jacob Wrestles the Angel, by Paul Gauguin, 1888.

Psalm 121

wndow dedicated in July 2006 at Saint John the Evangelist, Roslyn in New Zealand incorporating the opening words frm Psalm 121 - " I lift up mine eyes tthe hills"

This is a psalm for travellers - whether we think of a particulalr journey or journey as a metaphor for life itself. The first two verses are spoken by traveller and the remiing verses are spoken by the one waving goodbye, saying that the Lord watches over us - our comings and goings - protecting us at all times. In othr words - FAREWELL.

Luke 18

Stan Wilson, Blogging towards Sunday makes the point about this parable

"Is there a connection between our impatience and our sense that the kingdom is already here for us? Why keep pounding on the doors, begging for justice, when for us the world is pretty much justified?"

Judges were appointed to protect widows - among other things. (Deuteronomy 10:18)

This is a prable for the long haul - for those who are waiting for the kingdom to come. It is not a parable for those who are happy with the kingdom as is. The world is divided between those who are on the outside in the cold - represented by the widow - and those who are on the inside - represented by the judge. Even the judge gives way to the widow before he lets her wear him down. The inference is that as the judge gives way to he pleading of the widow, God is more likely to respond to the pleadings of the outsiders and answer their prayer - which, of cours, makes it an uncomfortable parable for outsiders. This is a parable for protesters - those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. They will be satisfied.

Some of us live expecting to get justice in a matter of days or months. We have foot in the door even if we migt not quite be "insiders". Many people live not expecting tosee justice in their lifetime. It is as difficult as ever for them to make their voice heard. The insiders have increasingly sophisticated security systems. We should make sure that we don't tire of the voices of the hungry and poor - we might even be able to be a mouthpiece for them.