Daily Devotion to the Theotokos

Fourth Day of the Month

"...and be saw a ladder rising up from the earth, and angels of God ascending and descending on it. And the Lord stood at its top, and said, 'I am the Lord God of your father Abraham and Isaac'." (Genesis 28:12-13)

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Open your heart in prayerful conversation with the Theotokos, O Christian, and contemplate these words:

I have read in the Holy Scripture how your father Jacob saw our Savior in a dream and in prophecy, standing atop a ladder which reached down from heaven to earth. I pondered on this vision, O Virgin, and wondered at its meaning. Surely this vision of the ladder revealed to Jacob that God our Savior would one day come down to earth to save us.

While I thought on this, I recalled that you are called "Theotokos," the one who "bore God." Was this ladder not a likeness of you, O pure and Spotless Virgin? For I know that my Savior has truly come down to earth through you. You are a heavenly ladder and a bridge which has united heaven and earth.

O the wonder of God's love and compassion! He Who existed before all ages descended to earth through your pure, Virgin womb for the sake of our salvation.

How is it that any human could be counted worthy of such glory? I tremble with awe and reverence when I think of you, the Most Holy Mother of our God and Savior. The very angels whom Jacob saw ascending and descending on the ladder also tremble in astonishment as they serve you and reverence your indescribable child bearing.

How shall I, who am defiled by many sins and passions, dare to converse with you in prayer? I take heart in your meekness and humility and in the compassion of your Son, and call upon you with my sinful voice:

O heavenly ladder by which God came down to earth for the salvation of our race, hear my prayer of repentance. Like Jacob, I tremble in fear because my wrongs and deceitfulness burn my conscience. Hear my heartfelt prayer, O pure Maiden, and intercede with your Son and God that He may take pity on my wretched soul, and deliver me from bondage and fear so that I may hope to ascend to heaven, as He once descended to earth for my sake.

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"Thou art the bearer of the expectation of the ages; thou art the dawn of the great and holy day, O Ever Virgin Mother of our God, for in thy womb, as on that mystical ladder of old, the Lamb descended to offer Himself for the Redemption of those who cry to Him: Alleluia." (Variation of Ikos Four, Akathist to the Joy of Canada)