Saint Nerses Chnorhali (1102-1173)
Armenian patriarch
Jesus, only Son of the Father, 85-95 ; SC 203
"You will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending"
O Lord, you called Jacob, Isaac and Rebecca's youngest son, your beloved; you changed his name to that of Israel (Gn 32:29). You revealed the future to him when you showed him the ladder reaching from earth to heaven: at its summit, God was standing, gazing on the world, and on the ladder angels ascended and descended... It was the symbol of a great mystery as those enlightened by the Spirit declared...
As for me, on the good side I, too, am the youngest son. On the bad side, I am unquestionably a mature man like the elder son Esau...: I have sold my wealth to satisfy my greed (Gn 25:33) and blotted out my name from the Book of Life where the first among the blessed are written in heaven (Ps 68:29).
I beseech you, O thou Light from on high, Prince of the fiery choirs. May the doors of heaven be opened for me too as they were opened in former times for Israel. Be pleased to make my fallen soul rise up by the ladder of light, the mysterious sign granted to men of their return from earth to heaven. Through the wiles of the Evil One I have lost the scented unction of your Spirit; deign to anoint my head once more with your protecting right hand. I do not fight against you, O most powerful One, wrestling like Jacob (Gn 32:25), for I am nothing but weakness.
Daily Marriage Tip for January 5, 2019:
There is a beautiful blessing for the home on Epiphany (or near that date): “May all who enter this home find Christ’s light and love.” Visit www.usccb.org/christmas for the full blessing.