Monday, XII Week of Ordinary Time
(Genesis 12)
Fr. Tim Cavanaugh is the priest-protagonist of a series of novels by Jan Karon. In the morning Fr. Cavanaugh prays in his church, “Father, make me a blessing for someone today.” We might all follow his example. God makes us a blessing when we take time to console someone who appears troubled. Likewise, we become a blessing as we strive to execute our work with utmost care.
In the reading from Genesis God tells Abram that he will be a blessing for all the communities of the earth. We can see this prophecy fulfilled as three of the great religions of the world -- Judaism, Christianity, and Islam -- see in Abram (or Abraham) their spiritual father. But Abram is not just a man whose off-spring has multiplied like grains of sands. After all, that does not recommend anyone very much. Rather, Abram has become a true blessing in modeling for us trust in God. At seventy-five Abram probably feels like it is time to retire to his homestead. But at the Lord’s insistence he uproots family and farm to journey wherever God leads him.
In a time that flaunts “rapid rewards” and “instant gratification” we may find it difficult to trust. God often seems to ask that we wait patiently for the good that we seek. So singles worry that they will never meet Mr. or Ms. “Right,” and the sick wonder if they will ever have another pain-free day. They, as the rest of us, are called to let go of personal desires so that God might work great blessings through us. Amazingly, when we do so, we are likely to find ourselves immeasurably fulfilled.
