Monday of
the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Genesis 18:16-33; Matthew 8:18-22)
Americans are fond of telling their children that George
Washington never lied. Historians will verify
the first president’s exceptionally virtuous character. The story not only speaks well of the
country; it also provides a model for children to follow. The first reading gives a similar testimony
to Abraham’s character.
The passage begins with God contemplating whether to
share with Abraham his plan to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. It suggests that Abraham should know God’s
ways so that he might instruct his people wisely. Hearing of God’s plan, Abraham shows what kind
of person he is. He plaintively asks God
to reconsider destruction if there could be found a significant number of
honest people. Like God, Abraham has a
compassionate heart that does not want to see people suffer unnecessarily.
God calls all of us to compassion. Like Abraham we should pray for those who seem
destined to suffer. People diagnosed
with cancer, for example, should be remembered in our prayers. Like God we should try to minimize suffering
as much as possible. Since people who
are sick often seek consolation, we should be ready to give them our support.
