Monday of the Second Week of Lent

5 March 2012

Today's story tells us of Leah and Rachel.
The scriptural basis for this story can be found in Genesis 29.

" In truth, he had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah; and truly the younger was called Rachel. But while Leah was bleary-eyed, Rachel had an elegant appearance and was attractive to behold. And Jacob, loving her, said, “I will serve you for seven years, for your younger daughter Rachel.” Laban responded, “It is better that I give her to you than to another man; remain with me.” Therefore, Jacob served for seven years for Rachel. And these seemed like only a few days, because of the greatness of love. And he said to Laban, “Give my wife to me. For now the time has been fulfilled, so that I may go in to her.” And he, having called a great crowd of his friends to the feast, agreed to the marriage. And at night, he brought in his daughter Leah to him, giving his daughter a handmaid named Zilpah. After Jacob had gone in to her, according to custom, when morning had arrived, he saw Leah. And he said to his father-in-law, “What is it that you intended to do? Did I not serve you for Rachel? Why have you deceived me?”  Laban responded, “It is not the practice in this place to give the younger in marriage first. Complete a week of days with this mating. And then I will give this one to you also, for the service that you will provide to me for another seven years.” He agreed to his pleading. And after the week had passed, he took Rachel as a wife. To her, the father had given Bilhah as her servant. And, having at last obtained the marriage he desired, he preferred the love of the latter before the former, and he served with him another seven years. But the Lord, seeing that he despised Leah, opened her womb, but her sister remained barren. Having conceived, she gave birth to a son, and she called his name Reuben, saying: “The Lord saw my humiliation; now my husband will love me.” And again she conceived and bore a son, and she said, “Because the Lord heard that I was treated with contempt, he has also given this one to me.” And she called his name Simeon. And she conceived a third time, and she gave birth to another son, and she said: “Now likewise my husband will unite with me, because I have borne him three sons.” And because of this, she called his name Levi. A fourth time she conceived and bore a son, and she said, “Only now will I confess to the Lord.” And for this reason, she called him Judah. And she ceased from child-bearing."

Readings for the Day:
     Daniel 9:4-10
     Psalm 79:8-9, 11, 13
     Luke 6:36-38

Collect for the Day:
"O God, who have taught us to chasten our bodies for the healing of our souls, enable us, we pray, to abstain from all sins, and strengthen our hearts to carry out your loving commands. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."