Wrestlepalooza

Genesis 32:22-31
First Reading for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost (Year A)

(Note: Sometimes you sit down intending to write a meditation on wrestling with God and you end up with imagining a pro wrestling match during Bible times)

Dusty: Welcome back to Wrestlepalooza א! Joe, this event has been nonstop, bone-crushing action!

Joe: That’s right, Dusty. The crowd is still going bonkers after the Nephilim destroyed EVERYONE in the Steel Cage Match!

Dusty: Well, those half-human, half-angel giants are not to be messed with! But even that catastrophic beatdown will be nothing compared to the upcoming Main Event!

Joe: That’s right! It’s Jacob “The Heel” Isaacs versus his brother Esau “The Red Storm” Isaacs! These two have a history and it’s full of bad blood.

Dusty: Band-aids won’t fix these emotional bullet holes, Joe. The Heel lived up to his nickname when he tricked The Red Storm out of his birthright and then outright stole their father’s blessing by pretending to be the Red Storm himself.

Joe: After that The Heel went into hiding, got married a couple of times, and did a lot of serious soul searching. But he had to know this showdown was always going to come. The Red Storm needs to settle the score and he’s going to bring the THUNDER!

Dusty: The world champion is definitely out for revenge. I don’t think The Heel stands much of a chance.

Joe: Speaking of The Heel, I think he’s about to enter the ring.

Dusty: It sounds like the PA system is pumping “Loser” by Beck? Not exactly the most inspiring theme music.

Joe: I will say that The Heel looks a little bit stronger than I expected. 14 years of hard manual labor will toughen a fellow up.

Dusty: We’ll see if he can put up a front to The Red Storm. The Heel is standing in his corner waiting for this moment he has probably been dreading since he dressed up in a hairy costume to trick his father.

Joe: We don’t know exactly when The Red Storm is arriving to the arena. Unlike The Heel, the champ is expected to make an entrance with his massive entourage.

Dusty: Hold on, Joe. There’s a murmur from the crowd. The champ must be about to make his entrance. The PA system is firing up….

Joe: …is that cherubim?

Dusty: Good Lord! That’s Elohim’s music!

Joe: (passes out)

Dusty: This is UNPRECEDENTED! I don’t know why The Ancient of Days has shown up to Wrestlepalooza, but I can guarantee you that there’s no way in heaven The Heel stands a chance! Isn’t that right, Joe? Joe?

Joe: (still passed out)

Dusty: That’s the fear of God for ya! We’ll try to resuscitate Joe during the break and then it’s time for a beatdown of biblical proportions!