Tuesday of the
Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
(Genesis 13:2.5-18; Matthew 7:6.12-14)
In a debate before the year 2000 presidential election
George W. Bush famously said that he was “not into nation-building.” He meant
that he would not involve the United States in foreign countries so much that
it would be responsible for their development.
Eventually, when the U.S. invaded Iraq, he had to eat those words. In any case God is “into nation-building” as
both readings today testify.
Abram shows qualities that are characteristic of a wise
leader. When troubles erupt between his kinsmen
and those of Lot, he keeps his clan together.
He is also willing to make a strategic sacrifice of better land for
assured peace. Noting Abram’s capacity,
God promises that he will be father of countless descendants. Jesus is laying the blueprint for the Church
when he tells his disciples to "enter through the narrow gate.’” Great nations are not developed through
self-indulgence. Rather if they are to
reach an exalted status, their leaders must be honest and their peoples
hardworking.
Perhaps we don’t want to think of ourselves as
nation-builders. We would rather devote
ourselves to providing for our families or to saving our souls. However, if our children and grandchildren
are going to be virtuous, living in a society that respects human dignity and
rejects dishonesty provides a significant head start on the road to excellence.
