DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS

Monday, January 15, 2007                     Venerable Paul of Thebes and John the Hut-Dweller

8th Vigil of Theophany: Genesis 32:1-10   Epistle: James 2:14-26    Gospel: St. Mark 9:42-10:1

 

Types of Baptism ~ Guilt and Grace: Genesis 32:1-10 LXX, especially vs. 5: “I sent to tell my lord Esau, that thy servant might find grace in thy sight.”  At one time or another, all those who mature and prosper in the Faith can report an experience similar to what the Patriarch Jacob tasted at “the Camp of God” (vs. 2) described in this passage from Genesis: the presence of God, personal guilt, and God’s miracle of grace.  Especially those who come late to the Life in Christ often know these spiritual realities at receiving the Holy Mysteries at Baptism and Chrismation.

However, most Orthodox Christians do not associate their Baptism with a transforming experience, having received the Christian Mysteries early in life.  Nevertheless, many discover the blessings described in this account of Jacob: following a grievous sin against a best friend, a loved one, their family, or community, God prompts them to seek a Priest and to beg “the righteous and compassionate Judge, remission of sins and grace to sin no more,” for God would not leave us in the grip of despair at our sins.  Thus, we may taste God’s presence, be convicted of sin, and meet His merciful forgiving grace through Confession - like a second Baptism.

Consider Jacob: his life and experience serve as a type of Confession as this wonderful second Baptism.  Born the younger of twins, Jacob took advantage of his brother Esau in a moment of weakness and obtained his birthright (Gen. 25:29-34).  Later, through plain deception, he also stole his brother’s rightful blessing (Gen. 27:1-40).  Scripture reports that as a result of this theft, Esau “was angry with Jacob because of the blessing, with which his father blessed him; and Esau said in his mind, ‘Let the days of my father’s mourning draw nigh, that I may slay my brother Jacob’” (Gen. 27:41).  Jacob knowing what he had done and the potential of his brother’s wrath, fled for his life, far away to Mesopotamia, to his uncle, Laban (Gen. 28:7).

Jacob spent years in virtual servitude to his uncle far off in the east, yet, by the mercy of God, he prospered despite Laban’s efforts to take advantage of his youth and energy.  Finally, as the relationship between Jacob and Laban’s family deteriorated because of jealousy, God prompted Jacob to gather up his wives, his entire household, and his flocks and to return to Palestine, promising him that He would be with him despite the threat of Esau (Gen. 31:3).  The present account begins as Jacob approaches the Jordan river and prepares to cross back into the land of Canaan, the land promised to his forefathers, Abraham and Isaac.

First, “Jacob departed for his journey; and having looked up, he saw the host of God encamped; and the angels of God met him” (Gen. 32:1 LXX).  With a potential threat of deadly confrontation before him, instead, Jacob met God.  See what is required for God to break through to our hearts and minds: fear can motivate us, as can guilt, or shame, but the knowledge of God’s promises may create another expectation (Gen. 28:10-17).  Plainly, meeting with God is a Mystery, which is how we identify Baptism, Chrismation and Confession - as Holy Mysteries.

The presence of living the God on the one hand and the threat of Esau on the other hand, focused Jacob’s awareness of his guilt.  Hence, he makes frenzied attempts to manage the coming confrontation (Gen. 32:3-8); and when the presence of God confronts us, often our first awareness is guilt - of the wrongs between us and our brother.  We struggle to solve the guilt.

Frenetic action does not work for Jacob, nor will it for us!  Jacob recalled the grace of God, the “sufficiency of all the justice and all the truth which Thou hast wrought with Thy servant” (vs. 10).  He pleads and receives God’s grace, and then, lo, his brother forgives him!

O Lord, we pray for Thy mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, and visitation, according to Thy great goodness and compassion.

Return to the January Calendar