Hope on the Journey

Jacob is sent out under a promise, then made to wait, labor, and be wronged before receiving what he sought. The Lord shows him a ladder reaching from earth to heaven; later, on another mountain, the disciples see not a ladder but the Son in glory, in whom heaven and earth are joined. The promise to Jacob was never for one household only: “And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.” The blessing travels through toil, patience, and obedience until it appears openly in Christ.

Jacob’s years for Rachel teach that holy desire is proved by endurance. As Irenaeus says, “But he (Jacob) did all things for the sake of the younger, she who had the handsome eyes, Rachel, who prefigured the Church, for which Christ endured patiently;” If the Lord endured patiently for His Church, we should not complain when faith costs time, reputation, comfort, or sleep. The chosen portion is not gained by murmuring but by steadfastness.

Psalm 16 forbids divided worship: the sorrows of those who run after another god will be multiplied. Yet the same psalm gives the Church her strong hope in Christ’s resurrection: “My flesh shall rest in hope, and You will not leave my soul in Hades, and will not suffer Your Holy One to see corruption.” Therefore when the disciples fall in fear before glory and the cross alike, they must rise and hear Him. So must we. Keep the commandments, refuse idols, endure the appointed labor, and set your hope not in quick relief but in the Holy One who passed through death without corruption.