SymbolBased on Alive-O 8: Term 1, Lesson 8

Refer to Teacher’s Book pp. 52-59

What am I trying to do?Explore the children’s experience of symbols.

Why?So as to develop their appreciation of the role

of symbols in sacramental celebration.

When we look at symbols we see more than just the external appearance; we see the deeper meaning.

Consider these symbols:

Jacob’s Stone – A Symbol of God’s Presence

We find the story of Jacob in the Book of Genesis. Jacob was the son of Isaac and Rebecca, and the

grandson of Abraham and Sarah.

In Genesis 28:10-22, we read about how an ordinary object – a stone – became a symbol of

something much more for Jacob.

This is his story…

I had intended, when I set out from Beersheba, to

spend the night in Haran and begin my business the following morning. But the sun was going down and I

thought it unwise to continue travelling in the

dark, so I stopped at a certain point along the

way.

I took a blanket and a sheep’s fleece and made a makeshift bed on the ground. I noticed a stone close by – just an ordinary stone. I picked it up, turned it over in my hand to find its smoothest

surface, and laid my head on it.

No sooner had my head hit my new ‘pillow’ than

I fell fast asleep. And there it was, right

before my very eyes – a ladder. Yes, a mighty ladder, stretching all

the way from the earth under me, up into the heavens above me.

Messengers from heaven were going up and down the ladder. I wondered, dreamily,

what all this might mean. As I was

wondering, a voice spoke. I turned and

looked.

“I am the Lord, the God of your fathers,

Abraham and Isaac. I do not live in a world that is distant from you –

either up or down. You do not have to climb ladders to reach me,

nor wait for me to descend ladders to

reach you. I am already with you, right beside

you, always.”

“I made a covenant with Abraham, your

grandfather. I promised him that I would be his

God, and he and his children and his

children’s children would be my people. I will never leave you.

I will be beside you watching over you and keeping you wherever

you go.”

I am already at your side. Just open your eyes and you will see.

Open your ears and you will hear my voice.”

“So when you are in need, or want to talk to me, do not look for ladders to climb; and there is no need to wait for me, or my messengers, to ‘descend’.

I awoke and opened my eyes. I looked around. There was no ladder, no messengers, but I knew God was there.

I said to myself, “God is in this place – and I

didn’t realise it!”

I took the stone on which I had the dream. I poured oil on top of it because,

to me, it was a very special stone.

This stone will be a sign, reminding me that God is

in this place and God is with me wherever I go.

Where can you see signs of God’s presence?

What reminds you that God is with you wherever you go?