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.
