Hebrews 12:14-17: Peace and Holiness
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
As we continue to consider the quality of peace in our lives, we reflect on this Favorite written on August 23, 2007. With the news around the world bringing us images of chaos, how do we work for peace across societies? How do we find peace in our families? How do peace and holiness abide in times of deception and deceit?
Strive for peace and holiness by avoiding bitterness, and by seeking reconciliation and unity through repentance and reparation. Seeking blessing through tears does not work unless it is accompanied by true repentance and a true desire for intimacy and union. The example of Esau is clear. He deserved his inheritance yet he was cheated out of it by his own mother and brother. We go back to rethink the story and we find something new.
In a homily more than a year ago, the homilist pointed out the following in regards to the stealing of Esau’s birthright by his brother Jacob: When we look at Jacob’s life, we see that he manipulated God’s plan in order to receive something which he thought he deserved. He angled for his brother’s inheritance by clear and overt deception and betrayal. Yet in the end, his life was one of a series of losses of family members and of separation from loved ones. The homilist pointed out that no matter how we try, we humans cannot out-maneuver God.
We reflect on how Esau was so often absent from the family, doing what he pleased while hunting and fishing. He was a member of his family but had moved himself away from the intimacy of the precious circle of love. Perhaps if he had been more engaged, more interactive, more truly present, less passive resistant or even passive aggressive, his brother would not have thought it possible to steal an inheritance. Esau neglected something important that had been given to him: the gifts of his intimate family members. He was cavalier in his attitude about them and in Chapter 25 of Genesis he sells his right for a single bowl of stew. Later when he cries, he does not repent. So Esau goes off to join the Ishmaelites and to begin his own tribe which thrives in opposition to the tribes of his brother Jacob.
And so, as we reflect, we pray.
God in Heaven, keep us from neglecting those whom we love so dearly. Do not let us stray so far that my loved ones believe me gone. For those whom we love who stand away from us, let us always be open to the newness of the Spirit, always present to the impossible possibility that a new beginning is waiting to bloom. For those to whom we have an aversion, for those we hold at arm’s length, keep us aware that you work wonders – even in the lives and plans of those who mean to do harm. Keep us prudent but open to the possibility that hearts may be softened, walls taken down. Keep us from being part of the wall. Allow us to trust you to be our shield and protection. Keep us holy and in peace. We pray this in Jesus’ name as we abide with you in the same Spirit who guided Jacob and Esau.
Amen.
Image from: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hendrick_ter_Brugghen_-_Esau_Selling_His_Birthright_-_WGA22163.jpg
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