Thursday of 13th week, July 5, 2007

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-19. Psalm 115:1-9. Matthew 9:1-8. Lectionary #
380:

Very few people enjoy taking tests and even less undergoing medical tests.
Today's first reading from Genesis is prefaced by the statement that this
is a test for Abraham, but we all can consider it for ourselves as a great
test of our commitment to God. While teaching with one of our talented
brothers, I learned that this "test" in Genesis is the correct way of
understanding the story so as not to think of God as demanding the human
sacrifice of Isaac, the son of Abraham. In Judaism this chapter is called
the AKEDAH or the "Binding of Isaac." It is seen as a liturgical and
penitential inspiration that is recalled especially on the second day of
the New Year, but also has a role in the daily liturgical prayers of the
synagogue. Rabbinic commentaries are excellent in helping us to understand
the meaning and importance of this chapter not only for the Jewish people
but for all monotheistic religions. The word "test" should alert us as
readers to understand what is being asked of Abraham and how it is not the
sacrifice unto death of an only son. The entire context needs to be seen
in order to capture this magnificent call of God to Abraham our forebearer
in faith. The narrative is connected to the very first mention of Abram in
the Bible where he is told to take his possessions and "go." Only here in
chapter 22 do we have the same lek lekah, that is, go and take Isaac.
Abraham is seen by the Jewish commentators and rabbis as the first Jew who
believes in Adonai (Yahweh our God). Christians and Muslims consider him
to be the father of our faith in God. The story has a central role in
rabbinic theology and in the liturgy. Abram now is Abraham in chapter 22
and he gives the same response as his first test or call, "HINENI",that is,
here I am. This word is an emphatic three times underlined "Yes" to God
and indicates Abraham's readiness, attentiveness, receptivity, and
reponsiveness to the call and teaching and test of God at this moment in
his life. He passes the test and there is no human sacrificial death of
Isaac involved. As a Catholic, I thought of Mary's "Yes" to God at the
Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38") which is sometimes called her FIAT (Latin for
"let it be."). I also thought of Paul's insight into the "Yes" of Jesus in
II Corinthians 1:18-20: "As surely as God is faithful, our word to you
has not been "Yes and No." For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we
proclaimed among you, Silvanus, Timothy, and I, was not "Yes and No"; but
in him is always "Yes." For this reason it is through him that we say
"Amen," to the glory of God." Then the thought from John 2:5 came to mind
as we are told "Do whatever he tells you." Our answer should be the
"HINENI" of Abraham, the "FIAT" of Mary, and the "Yes" of Jesus. The
rabbis took this so seriously as a text that they saw the martyrdom of Jews
carrying out the sacrifice of Isaac. There is the following citation from
Genesis Rabba 56:3. "the Jewish martyr carries his cross on his own
shoulder" which is the way John's Gospel presents Jesus on the way toward
Calvary. Jesus carries his own cross. We can all join in the prayer
offered in the synagogue, "Remember the binding whereby Abraham our father
bound his son Isaac on the altar, and suppressed his compassion in order to
perform Thy will with a perfect heart...O remember the binding of Isaac
this day in mercy unto his descendants." And on the sounding of the
shophar on the New Year, "The Holy One, blessed be He, said,"Sound the
ram's horn before me that I may remember in your favor the binding of Isaac
the son of Abraham, and I will account it to you as though you had bound
yourselves before me.'" (R.H.16a).Amen. Amen.