Sunday, July 27, 2025

 

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time 
(Genesis 18:20–32; Colossians 2:12–14; Luke 11:1–13)

Instead of focusing on today’s Gospel, I would like to highlight Abraham. Not only is he the subject of the first readings today and last Sunday, but he is also an iconic figure in the Bible. He received God’s promise that his descendants would be a blessing for the entire world. He is considered the first Jew because of his faith in God and his circumcision. Moreover, his life displays several qualities that indicate righteousness. Let us examine his life in light of Jesus Christ and today’s Mass readings.

The story of Abraham can be divided into three stages. The first concerns Abram, the elderly man whom God calls to begin a new life in another country. The second stage is marked by the great covenants that God makes with him and his descendants. And the third highlights the birth of his son by his wife Sarah.

Abraham was born as “Abram” in the city of Ur in Mesopotamia. At age 75, God sends him to the land of Canaan where he travels with his wife Sarai and his nephew Lot. He reaches Egypt, where Pharaoh rebukes him for trying to pass off his wife as his sister in order to protect himself. Upon returning to Canaan, Abram and Lot part ways with Abram generously offering his nephew the choice of land. Later, Abram rescues Lot from the kings who had kidnapped him from the region of Sodom and Gomorrah—the land Lot had chosen. In these battles, Abram shows himself to be a strong warrior and a man of truth. When King Chedorlaomer offers him the spoils of war, Abram refuses, having sworn to God that he only sought to recover his nephew—not the nephew’s possessions. Then he encounters Melchizedek, who offers a sacrifice on Abram’s behalf. In response, the warrior shows his religious devotion with a generous offering to the high priest.

In the second stage, Abraham has a son with Sarai’s slave. When he complains to God about having to leave his fortune to a slave, God promises that his heir will be the son conceived with Sarai and that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky. As part of this covenant, God changes his name to “Abraham” and that of his wife to “Sarah,” and requires that he and his male descendants be circumcised. One day, God visits Abraham in the form of three angels. Abraham welcomes them to lunch with great hospitality. While they eat, one of the angels predicts that Sarah will give birth to a son within a year. When the angels continue on their journey, they inform Abraham that Sodom and Gomorrah will be destroyed because of the evil committed there. Here we enter today’s first reading, where Abraham tries to persuade God not to destroy the cities for the sake of any righteous people living in them.

In the third stage, God tests Abraham by commanding him to sacrifice Isaac, his long-awaited son. Though he doesn’t understand the reason, Abraham does not hesitate to prepare for the sacrifice—until an angel intervenes. Because of his obedience to God’s will, the Lord once again promises him many descendants and victory over his enemies.

There are several parallels between Abraham’s story and the Gospel. First, just as Abraham surrenders to God’s will, even to the point of offering his son, Jesus surrenders himself to men who crucify him. Second, just as Abraham is justified by faith, Christians are saved by faith in the crucified and risen Christ. Third, just as Abraham speaks directly with God to plead for the innocent, Jesus teaches his disciples to appeal confidently to God for their needs. Fourth, Abraham shows concern for the good of others, just like Christ who multiplies the loaves and fishes and acts compassionately in many ways. And fifth, the virtues found in Abraham—strength, truthfulness, kindness and generosity, magnanimity, and reverence for God—shine even more fully in Jesus.

Abraham is called the first “patriarch,” meaning “father of the faith.” He is certainly that for us Christians, as well as for Jews and even for Muslims. However, he is by no means equal to our Father in heaven, to whom we owe our very being. Nor is he the head of our faith—who will always remain our Lord Jesus Christ.