You are the face of God.
I hold you in my heart.
You are a part of me.
You are the face of God.
You are my family.
I hold you in my heart.
You are the face of God.
Responsive Reading for Sunday, May 19
In the Book of Genesis in the Bible, Jacob had good reasons to fear his twin brother, Esau, whom he had cheated out of his inheritance. The brothers were very different and had had different experiences. Esau was athletic; Jacob was intellectual. He had journeyed to the East, many years before; but Esau, who had stayed in the West, was headed toward his brother with 400 armed men. “Jacob reasoned, ‘If I first appease him with gifts that precede me, then later, when I face him, perhaps he will forgive me’” (Genesis 32:21).
You are the face of God. I hold you in my heart.
After sending his wives and children and flocks ahead, “Jacob was left there alone. Then some man [a messenger of God in human form / Jacob’s own conscience or inner spiritual guidance] wrestled with him until the break of dawn….” “The man then said, ‘Let me go, for it is daybreak.’ But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go until you bless me.’ … Jacob named the place Peniel [the face of God] ‘Because I have seen God face to face,’ he said” (Gen. 21:25, 31).
You are a part of me. You are the face of God.
When the twin brothers met, Jacob bowed “to the ground seven times, until he reached his brother. Esau ran to meet him, embraced him…. as he wept…. [Esau hesitated at first to accept gifts from Jacob, who urged him by saying:] “If you will do me the favor, accept this gift from me, since to see your face is for me like seeing the face of God” (Gen. 33:3, 10).
You are my family. I hold you in my heart.
“The LORD bless you and keep you! The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!” (Numbers 6:24-6).
You are the face of God.