Word to the Wise
Thursday, March 29, 2012 - 5th Week of Lent - Thurs
[Gen 17:3-9 and John 8:51-59]"You are not yet fifthy years old and you have seen Abraham?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM."
Abraham is a figure that stands like a giant in the revelation of three great religious traditions: Christianity, Judaism and Islam. The words of the first scripture passage for today from Genesis would resonate with all three communities: "I will maintain my covenant with you and your descendants after you throughout the ages as an everlasting pact, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you." In today's gospel passage, Jesus makes an astounding claim which remains astounding, especially to our brothers and sisters of Jewish or Islamic faith: "Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM.
The identity of Jesus remains the deviding line between Christianity and the other two great Abrahamic traditions. We share a "father in faith," but we do not share a common faith in Jesus. He remains a great rabbi or prophet to Judaism or Islam, but he is not for them, as he is for us, the Son of God. We Christians must proclaim and share our faith, but there is a terrible history that has accompanied that proclamation and sharing. Jesus says in today's gospel, "Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad." Violence and coercion never produce a day of gladness. We can share a "father in faith" and as much of the truth as Abraham represents, but we must leave the rest to God and to Abraham's prayers. AMEN
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