December 21st - Reflection

Reading
Genesis 25:19-28 (NRSV)
Rebekah bears Jacob and Esau
These are the descendants of Isaac, Abraham's son: Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, sister of Laban the Aramean. Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord granted his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived. The children struggled together within her; and she said, "If it is to be this way, why do I live?" So she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said to her,
"Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples born of you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the elder shall serve the younger."

When her time to give birth was at hand, there were twins in her womb. The first came out red, all his body like a hairy mantle; so they named him Esau. Afterward his brother came out, with his hand gripping Esau's heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents. Isaac loved Esau, because he was fond of game; but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Reflection
Conflict even before birth. Born with conflict in the blood. Conflict, even in physical appearance. Conflict fighting to be first or conflict in just hanging on. A world we all seem to be born into. A world of conflict. Conflict even in the love of the parents.

We live our lives through and in the conflict that surrounds us. But just as the lives of Esau and Jacob evolved through conflict and struggle, in the end they came back together as brothers. It was the conflict that they had in common. It was God who stayed in that conflict by their sides.

Just as today, a Savior comes into the midst of my conflict and chaos. God takes on flesh and blood and is present with me. A common thread of presence day by day is Jesus. Even in the midst of my conflict, chaos and sin. Even because of my conflict, chaos and sin. God, doing whatever it takes for me! God doing whatever it takes to reach those in conflict, chaos and sin. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Come, Lord Jesus come. Especially into the midst of our conflict, chaos and sin. ---Amen