Catholic Activity: Jesse Tree, Day 8 — Jacob
Symbols: Ladder
And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! And behold, the Lord stood above ita and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your descendants. (Genesis 28:12-13)
Jacob was the younger of the twin sons born to Jacob and Rebekah. His mother favored him and helped him win his birthright over his brother Esau.
In a vision, Jacob (son of Isaac) saw a ladder reaching from heaven to earth, with angels descending and ascending. Christ, the Incarnate God is the Ladder reuniting earth to heaven, mankind to God.
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2573: "God renews his promise to Jacob, the ancestor of the twelve tribes of Israel. Before confronting his elder brother Esau, Jacob wrestles all night with a mysterious figure who refuses to reveal his name, but he blesses him before leaving him at dawn. From this account, the spiritual tradition of the Church has retained the symbol of prayer as a battle of faith and as the triumph of perseverance."
DIRECTIONS
Recommended Scripture Readings:
- Genesis 25:19-34
- Genesis 27:1-40
- Genesis 28:10-22
- Genesis 32:23-33
Selections from The Catechism of the Catholic Church:
- CCC 205 The Living God
- CCC 269 The Almighty—"He does whatever he pleases"
- CCC 2373-2379 The gift of a child
- CCC 2568-2597 In the Old Testament
Jesse Tree Overview
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Printable PDF Jesse Tree guide: The Jesse Tree: Advent 2023
Activity Source: Original Text (JGM) by Jennifer Gregory Miller, © Copyright 2003-2023 by Jennifer Gregory Miller
