“Sacrifice of Isaac” (detail) by Caravaggio
So Abraham called the name of that place The Lord will provide; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” (Genesis 22:14).
Today’s first reading (Genesis 22:1-19) is the account of Abraham’s response to God’s command to sacrifice Isaac.
When commanded by God to offer his only son in sacrifice, Abraham’s response was to obey. A heart-wrenching decision, but Abraham was able to obey because of his great faith and trust in God. Hebrews gives this as example of Abraham’s faith, “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son, of whom it was said, ‘Through Isaac shall your descendants be named.’ He considered that God was able to raise men even from the dead; hence he did receive him back, and this was a symbol” (Hebrews 11:17-19).
As it turns out, God spared Isaac’s life on Mount Moriah, but allowed His only-begotten Son to freely sacrifice His own life on Mount Calvary. Jesus would be the Son whose life would be laid down for us all.
Abraham was right to trust the Lord. Even when we do not understand His ways, the Lord always works for our good. We can trust in Him.
Will we trust the Lord in all things?
JMJ
