SAINT MARIA GORETTI, VIRGIN AND MARTYR (OPTIONAL MEMORIAL)

God himself will provide the sheep. 

The story of Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac shocks us. We shudder to think of him binding up his beloved son, given to Sarah and him in their old age, and placing him on the altar. Yet human sacrifice was common in Abraham’s time. The surprising twist in the story is that this God, unlike the gods of the pagans, intervened and saved Isaac. God rewarded Abraham’s trust and obedience by providing a ram to take Isaac’s place as the sacrifice.

Isaac was a “miracle child,” the fulfillment of God’s promise to bless Abraham. Through the sheer marvel of Isaac’s birth, God had already demonstrated that he could do the impossible. So by the time Abraham received this command to offer up his son, he had learned to trust. He had learned that somehow, God would not break his promise. Somehow, God would maintain his covenant with Isaac “and with his descendants after him” (Genesis 17:19). Somehow, God would provide.

Abraham’s trusting obedience is a model for us. Sometimes we have to offer our own “Isaac” to God. He may ask us to let go of something or someone we dearly love: a child moving away, perhaps, or a job, a home, or a cherished dream. But he also promises to provide for us, just as he provided for Abraham.

Jesus teaches a similar lesson when he says, “Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25). Our life is a gift from God, but we must always hold it loosely. When we are called to lay down a part of our life—our “Isaac”—we can be sure that God will be with us to help us and to make up for whatever we are losing. He promises to bless us as we cling to him in the midst of it all.

God asks for your whole life, not because he is selfish, but because he wants you to find the meaning and comfort that come only from him. Look back over your journey with God. Hasn’t he provided for you? Hasn’t he shown you his faithful love? Hasn’t he proved himself worthy to be trusted with your “Isaacs”?

Don’t be afraid to surrender your life to your loving Father. He will provide.

“Lord, I trust you. I put everything I am and have into your hands.”

Genesis 22:1-19
Psalm 115:1-6, 8-9
Matthew 9:1-8