Maybe with the profound encounters between Jacob and Esau as a backdrop, we can think about how shedding the weight of former hurts and preconceptions can lead to a more authentic and liberated existence.

By Genesis 33, a lot has happened in Jacob's life. He literally wrestled an angel, saw the face of God, and lived to tell the tale, for goodness sake. And yet here in the climactic moment, about to meet his brother, the only story Jacob has available to him is the one that took shape all those years ago when Esau was at his most vulnerable. For Jacob, Esau is still exactly who he was when, in a moment of anger, he lashed out in frustration. And maybe part of the problem here is that Jacob wonders if he's still that same person too. People change. And maybe it's time for us to let go of some old stories we're holding on to about the people in our lives.

Even though forgiveness and reconciliation and deeply intertwined they are two different steps in our lives.