06 February 2008

Patriarch Jacob

Editor's Note: Because Lent has begun, today is not kept with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, only a Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts. Today is not kept as a feast, thus Lenten fasting guidelines still hold primacy.

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Patriarch Jacob.

Jacob, the third of the three Hebrew patriarchs, was the younger of the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah. After wrestling with the Angel of the Lord, Jacob, whose name means “deceiver," was renamed “Israel,“ which means “he strives with God“ (Gen. 25:26; 32:28). His family life was filled with trouble, caused by his acts of deception toward his father and his brother Esau and his parental favoritism toward his son Joseph (March 31). Much of his adult life was spent grieving over the death of his beloved wife Rachel and the presumed death of Joseph, who had been appointed by the Egyptian Pharaoh to be in charge of food distribution during a time of famine in the land. Prior to Jacob's death during the blessing of his sons, God gave the promise that the Messiah would come through the line of Jacob's fourth son, Judah (Genesis 49).

Prayer of the Day
Lord Jesus, you are the hope of the patriarchs and prophets. Grant that we may be encouraged by the life and witness of the Patriarch Jacob, finding in his life those things that draw us close to you. To you, your Father, and your living Holy Spirit be glory and honor, now, always, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Morning Prayer Reading
Genesis 25: 19-34

Divine Liturgy Readings
Genesis 27:1 - 28:22 (Short Form, 28: 10-22)
John 2: 43b-51

Evening Prayer Reading
Genesis 49:29 - 50:13

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