Monday of Week 12 in Ordinary Time
Gen 12:1-9
Mt 7:1-9
“I will make you a great nation”
It feels providential to be reflecting on Abraham on Father’s Day (when I am writing this), a day when we honour fathers and father-figures everywhere; and thank them for their unspoken sacrifices that have nurtured generations in various ways and guises. Abraham is well-revered in the three monotheistic religions of Judaism, Islam and Christianity – and traditionally called the ‘Father of Faith’ (cf Romans 4:11-16) for his exemplary faith in God, which makes him an outstanding role model for us to aspire to.
The first reading from Genesis gives us the incredulous story of Abraham, and his unquestioning and immediate assent to God’s call on his life. Abraham leaves his home in Ur for a completely unknown and unnamed destination, with all his family and possessions. There was no five-year plan, no insurance, no GPS, no welcome party awaiting on the other side, nor reasons for the long and arduous journey. All that God offered instead, were his promises that must have sounded ludicrous and impossible, given Abraham’s advanced age and barren wife Sarai. God first promised to give him land (Canaan), numerous descendants (‘I will make you a great nation’) and worldwide blessing (in him, all ‘tribes of the earth’ will be blessed). I only realised much later that these promises were linked to a children’s song — ‘Father Abraham’ — which we learned as kids! The lyrics go like this:
Father Abraham had many sons,
Many sons had Father Abraham.
I am one of them, and so are you,
So let’s all praise the Lord!
‘Father Abraham’ was indeed the father of a chosen people, and the ‘many sons’ were the promise of God to multiply his offspring. As Christian Gentiles, we are Abraham’s spiritual children, even though we are not Jews; but through Christ, we have been saved by His coming, which brought us salvation through the lineage of Abraham. Abraham’s obedience, like Mary’s, with her unqualified and trusting ‘yes’ set things in motion, and allowed for God’s plans of redemption of mankind, to unfold.
What can one learn from Abraham’s response?
True faith demands obedience and surrender. Life often throws us curve balls that disrupt our carefully laid plans. Abraham had to leave his old life and begin anew with zero visibility of what lay ahead. Despite his age, and the implications on his whole family, he set forth as commanded by God. How much do I trust God with my future? It is not prudent, even irresponsible, to live without any plans at all – but the more important consideration is, do I bring these plans to God to discern their alignment with His will? Or do I let my carefully laid dreams control me instead, and dictate my priorities and choices? When I have prayed for a specific outcome to plans, given my best and things turn awry, does that weaken my faith?
A friend was agonising recently over a career shift. He was drawn to an offer that he felt was a calling from God, but it meant a painful cut in his salary and lifestyle changes. After protracted discernment and intense prayer, he decided to make the career shift despite the cost of doing so. When we spoke, he said very simply – ‘I feel I am bring called to a different kind of mission with this new role. It feels right to be part of God’s bigger plan than to live my own way and feel this constant restlessness.
That was indeed inspiring — but how does one walk by faith? Abraham’s faith was radical. Yet we know that even though he acted when called, he was also tested later, when the son he was promised did not materialise and he took matters into his own hands. Human experience has shown time and again that when crushed by circumstances, it is so easy to be tempted to take control back from God by making rash decisions. Yet, despite Abraham’s failure to wait on God, God delivered on his promises and gave him his son.
How can we train our hearts to pray, not so much for outcomes, but for trust in God’s faithfulness? One possibility is to ask the Holy Spirit to show us where we have unhealthy attachments that stand in the way of total surrender to God’s plans and will. It could be something as simple as trying to cut back 30 minutes of Netflix to spend in prayer, instead or nourishing oneself with spiritual reading. Or praying to let go of the need to accumulate more material things than is needed.
When we have less to clutter our hearts and minds, we naturally hear His voice more clearly. God’s call will always be invitations to a better way, and to holy living. We will naturally learn to trust Him more and realise our ultimate dependence on Him for our fulfilment. May we learn from our Father of Faith to live our lives in obedient surrender to God. We pray for the gift of faith and to trust that God will use our own daily ‘yes’-es to bless future generations in ways we cannot see or imagine.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Corinne Cheok)
Prayer: Jesus, I trust in You.
Thanksgiving: Thank you, Lord, for the ‘cloud of witnesses’ who were exemplary models and for countless others who have handed down the faith over the ages. May we continue, with God’s grace, to do the same for our future generations.
OXYGEN 
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