Passing the test with the grace God gives
07/06/2017
Genesis 22:1B-19
God put Abraham to the test. He called to
him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. Then God said: "Take your son Isaac,
your only one, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. There you shall
offer him up as a burnt offering on a height that I will point out to
you." Early the next morning Abraham saddled his donkey, took with him his
son Isaac, and two of his servants as well, and with the wood that he had cut
for the burnt offering, set out for the place of which God had told him. On the
third day Abraham got sight of the place from afar. Then he said to his
servants: "Both of you stay here with the donkey, while the boy and I go
on over yonder. We will worship and then come back to you." Thereupon Abraham took the wood for the burnt
offering and laid it on his son Isaac's shoulders, while he himself carried the
fire and the knife. As the two walked on together, Isaac spoke to his father
Abraham: "Father!" he said. "Yes, son," he replied. Isaac
continued, "Here are the fire and the wood, but where is the sheep for the
burnt offering?" "Son," Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the sheep for
the burnt offering." Then the two continued going forward.
I love to teach. In fact, if I had not become a priest, I
would have become a teacher. This is one reason I take so much time to prepare
my homilies: it’s a way to teach. This is also why I give little summaries of
Catholic teachings – in French called a “précis” – at the parish council
meetings. We’ve discussed Islam, Vatican II and the history of the Old
Testament. These are all just outlets for my “inner teacher.”
One of the most effective tools for teaching is by giving a
test. At the parish council meetings, I give quizzes on the previous précis.
And of course, the parish council members love that. Now, where is the test for
every homily you hear? It’s waiting for you when you walk out the church doors
after Mass. In other words, how you live your life is the “test” you take after
hearing a homily. Life is a test.
But I’ve learned that the one who is really being tested is
the teacher. I tell the parish council members to grade their test, and then
return it, but not to put their names on it. Of course, the ones who make 100
always put their names on it. Why no name? Well, because I want to see how well
I’m teaching the précis. In other words, the test is really of the teacher, and
in a sense, it’s my name that’s on the test. The student takes the test, but
it’s the teacher who is graded.
The first reading today begins with the ominous and
foreboding words, “God put Abraham to the test.” Do you remember the terrifying
test of Genesis 22? It was the hardest test in human history: Abraham was asked
to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Unbelievably, Abraham passed that test! But do you
remember how he managed to do it? At the critical juncture of their journey up Mount
Moriah, innocent Isaac asks, “Father! Here are the fire and the wood, but where
is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham, the father of faith, make a
prophetic promise, and answered: “God will provide the lamb for the sacrifice.”
Archbishop Fulton Sheen said Abraham’s words were wafted up into the air of Mt.
Moriah and floated down the centuries, until 2,000 years later, John the
Baptist uttered those words again, and sort of answered Abraham, saying,
“Behold, the Lamb of God!” as he beheld Jesus. In other words, how did Abraham
pass the test of Genesis 22? He knew that in every test the teacher is really
the one being tested, in this case, God Himself. When Abraham said, “God will
provide the lamb,” he believed that God would give Abraham the grace needed to
pass. Why? Because even though Abraham took the test, God was being
graded. It was God’s name on the test.
My friends, maybe this will give you a little comfort and
hope when you are put to the test. You see, God loves to teach far more than I
do. How often in the Gospels we hear people call Jesus, “Teacher” or “Rabbi”
(which is a Jewish teacher). Like every good Teacher, God gives tests.
Sometimes his tests come in the form of a devastating divorce, or the test
looks like a lost job, or the test comes likes cancer, or the test is doubts of
faith. Maybe the test is just making it to Mass on Sunday, or saying your
prayers each day, or forgiving your spouse one more time. When you are in the
throes of that test, remember what Abraham did, and say, “God will provide the
Lamb.” In other words, God will give you the grace you need in Jesus, the Lamb
of God, to pass the test. Why will God give you that grace? Well, because even
though you take the test, God is the one being graded. God’s name is on your test.
I realize that may not give you much consolation; it doesn’t
get you out of taking the test. But
maybe it will be enough consolation, at least to help you pass the test.
Praised be Jesus Christ!
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