My dear brothers and sisters, may the Lord in his goodness, give you peace. Our readings today are very sublime and speak to the essence of who we are, who we desire to be, as opposed to what God wishes us to accomplish in our lives. We have a reading from Genesis, wherein we hear of Abraham, the father (Patriarch) of faith, who so pleased God with his trust and his obedience once the Word of the Lord had some to him. Then in the gospel, Jesus speaks about not only the good tree that bears fruit, but the bad tree that bears none. Our lives are a continual examination of where we stand withing these multifaceted characteristics that make up the human person, created in God’s image.
In the Book of Genesis, Abram was the original name of the man we know as Abraham. The name Abram (אַבְרָם) in Hebrew means "exalted father" or "high father." This name reflected his stature as a respected patriarch, but it didn’t yet reflect the fullness of the role God intended for him in salvation history.
Later, in Genesis 17:5, God changes his name:
“No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.”
The name Abraham (אַבְרָהָם) is understood to mean "father of a multitude" or "father of many nations." This change signified the new and expanded mission God entrusted to him. Abram was not only to be an exalted father within his family or tribe, but the ancestor of a vast number of nations and peoples, including those who would enter into covenant with the one true God.
This is where our first reading picks up. Abram laments with God, who has just promised him protection and reward -- that no reward would be meaningful to him without his offspring to succeed him when he eventually passes from this world to the next. Abram believes one of his servants will take on this roll, and God immediately assures him that this will not be the case. The heir to his patriarchal office would be a son from his own blood, which we eventually learn, is Isaac. But God promises Abram something even more great – that not only will he have a son, but he will have a “multitude of offspring” and hence, he was to be called Abraham, the “father of the multitude.”
As in every word that comes forth from the mouth of God, however, there is always a deeper, spiritual meaning to this. What turned Abraham into an icon, was his faith and obedience. Hence any spiritual son or daughter of Abraham would likewise be characterized by faith and obedience to God’s will.
Faith is the essence, therefore, of this reflection and in the gospel Jesus speaks of how it can shape a marvelous, fruit-bearing tree, whereas the lack of faith will be like a tree that has no water, that is thirsty, dry, and on the verge of being cut down and thrown into the fire.
Faith is a gift, but it is also a gift that must be accepted, treasured, cared for, pruned… like a good tree, which will bear even more fruit, depending on how well the gardener takes care of it.
My brother and sister Catholics, we have been given the fullness of the faith, treasured and protected in the holy Bride of Christ, so as to nurture it within our hearts and to live it in our daily lives and the choices we make. All seven sacraments are a wellspring, a fountain of living water that can nurture our souls, if we but trust in God and obey his commands. May our dearest Mother Mary continue to accompany us, and lead the way, to the Living Water that has come down from heaven. And may He, our Lord Jesus bless you all, your loved ones, and especially those who are struggling this day – in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Go in peace. Thanks be to God.
Add comment
Comments