Word to the Wise
Thursday, July 5, 2007 - Thirteenth Thursday in Ordinary Time
[Genesis 22:1B-19 and Matthew 9:1-8]"Abraham, Abraham!" "Here I am," he answered. "Do not lay your hand on the boy," said the messenger. "Do not do the least thing to him. I know know how devoted you are to God, since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son."
Who is testing whom in this story? Is God testing Abraham's obedience? Or is Abraham testing God's ability to keep a promise, since Isaac is the only heir? Or is it both - one of those face-to-face battles that occasionally occur in the Old Testament? No question that the stakes are high, including the life of Isaac as well as the relationship of Abraham to God! God seems satisfied and Abraham is relieved (not to mention Isaac!). Perhaps this story can remind us of times when there was the ambiguous situation in which we and God are testing one another. with someone else's life being impacted as well! Can you think of one? I know of several instances in my own life when I had to give up something precious because I thought my faith required it, only to have it or something better come to me. AMEN