reconciling - 14th week Tuesday

Today we reflect on our first reading from the book of Genesis.  We all know the story of Jacob and how he duped his father, Isaac, and his twin brother, Esau, into inheriting the blessing and birthright which was not meant for him but for his brother Esau. 

For stealing what was not his, Jacob fled fearing that Esau would take revenge.  And for many years Jacob was separated from his family and from his brother.  Our reading today narrates that part of the story when Jacob finally decided to return home and face his brother once and for all.  It will be an attempt for reconciliation.

I would like to propose for our reflection three things we can learn from reconciliation.  In the process of reconciling with his brother Jacob has to go through several things which he needs to correct. 

First he needs to tell the truth.  Jacob lied when he stole the birth right of Esau.  “Who are you?” his blind father asked.  And he said, “I am Esau your first born.”  He lied.  Now he has to tell the truth of his identity before God – “who are you?” – “I am Jacob.”  There can be no reconciliation if we are not ready to tell the truth.

Second, when Jacob ran away to escape the wrath of his brother Esau he did so when the sun went down, when it was getting dark.  When he finally resolved to get reconciled with his brother he did so at sunrise.  Reconciliation is always a call to a fresh start, to a new life.  Reconciliation ushers in a new stage in our life.

Third Jacob called the place where he wrestled with God as Peniel “because I have seen God face to face.”  When he was finally reconciled with his brother Esau, Jacob described it saying that seeing his brother's face is like seeing “the face of God.”  Reconciliation allows us to see God in the face of another.