Mountain in bible is a
meeting place of God with humans. It is a place where people are commissioned to
mission, sacrifices are offered, commandments and directives are given and more
so it is a place where Covenants are ratified. In today’s reading we have two
mountains; Moriah where Abraham sacrifices his son Isaac and little hillock
where Jesus transfigures.
The beginning of the first
reading makes it clear that the command of God to sacrifice Isaac is a test for
Abraham. God is inspecting who has first place in Abraham. God says to Abraham “Take
your son” He even appeals to the emotions of Abraham as He continuous, “your
only son Isaac, whom you love”. This is very touching, God is very much aware of
who Isaac is for Abraham and how emotionally Abraham is bound to Isaac. After stressing
his emotional bond, God asks him to go to the land of Moriah, and offer Isaac there
as a burnt offering (Gen 22:2). Abraham already left his kith and kin to follow
the directives of God (Gen 12:1-5). He patiently waited for the birth of promised
child [Isaac] although Sarah lost hope and offered her maidservant Hagar to
Abraham and to get an offspring (Gen 16:2). Now, the son who is the only relation
Abraham has, since he had left all his relations in Ur at the summoning of God.
The son, who is the only descendant Abraham has ever received, the son, who has
all the love of Abraham and has full legal right to inherit all the wealth of
Abraham is asked to be given as sacrifice. How unkind and ruthless this God is?
Earlier He removed his kindred, later tested his faith by delaying progeny, now
He even desires to take the precious gift which He gave. Isaac is the only consolation
and good news after Abraham encountered this YHWH God. Now that too is to be taken
away. However, Abraham gets into action immediately. He binds His son to the
woods and stretches out his had to slaughter him. At that point the angel of
the Lord stops him (Gen 22:10-12). In those days, child sacrifices in ancient near
east were not uncommon for fertility and prosperity. In that context,
forbidding Abraham from sacrificing his son Isaac is very significant to show the
uniqueness of the YHWH God. This incident tells the world that YHWH God is a
living God, who reverences humans as His equals in His image and likeness (Gen
1:27). God loves the life of humans. Yes, He tests the faith of humans but
never takes their life in revenge. No wonder why holy people die soon and
sinners last long. God wills the life of all, long life of sinners is a
patience of God so that they too inherit eternal life (2 Pet 3:9). In willingly
offer Isaac, Abraham has proved that God occupies first place in his life. He
is the cornerstone of his life (Acts 4:11; Eph 2:20), the rock on which Abraham
has built his life (Mt 7:24). This brings an order and beauty to his life. The life
of Job is very similar to Abraham who keeps God as the corner stone of his life
even in cataclysmic situations. When Jesus taught us to pray also, He kept the
praise of God and seeking of His kingdom as first petition. Thus, God should be
the hinge of all our relations.
In the second reading St.
Paul tells about the love of God. The God who forbid in offering only son of Abraham,
has now willingly offered His only Son for the redemption of whole creation.
God spares us, not His Son. His Son too spares us even if that claims His life.
Thus, God is with us. He loves us immensely that no one can convict us if we return
to claim our share in His glory. The transfiguration in the Gospel is an
outward manifestation of who our God is and what glory awaits us. Let we never
lose this great deal.
In this season of lent, let
us introspect and see what place do we give to God in our lives? Whose request
do we obey firmly? Humans or God. Whom do we spare in disparaging situations?
May we imbibe the faith of Abraham in our Christian living.
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