COMMON OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

He went out, not knowing where he was to go. 

From the very beginning, to be a believer meant being on the move. Long before even Jesus and Peter and Paul came on the scene, Abraham showed us that to be a person of faith is to be a person of action.

Of course, the kind of action we’re talking about here is really a “re-action”—to God’s word to us. So, for instance, God revealed himself to Abraham and called him to leave home and travel to a foreign land. Moved by this revelation and by the love he felt from God, Abraham took action. He pulled up stakes and headed out for the Promised Land—not even knowing exactly where it was!

Over time, Abraham grew to value the voice of God more and more, and that led to him becoming more and more active. He traveled through a great portion of the Fertile Crescent, he set up altars in honor of the Lord, and he fought in battle to rescue his nephew, Lot. He bargained with God in an attempt to spare the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, he entered into a covenant with this same God, and he and Sarah even served God a fine dinner. Of course, Abraham didn’t always understand God’s word, but even when he took actions that were against God’s plan, he didn’t give up; he kept listening and learning.

Like Abraham, we too need to keep listening for the voice of God and acting on it. When you think you hear him, whether in the quiet of prayer, in the worship of Mass, or in the busyness of the day, stop and listen carefully. See if what you sense makes you peaceful or hopeful. See if it lines up with the Scriptures and the wisdom of the Church. If it does, follow through—whatever that may mean for you. And trust that God will continue to guide you.

When he set out for the Promised Land, Abraham probably had no idea how his obedience would unleash God’s saving plan for all people. All he did was take the next step. And so can you.

“Here I am, Lord; I am listening. Help me to hear you and put your word into action.”

(Psalm) Luke 1:69-75
Mark 4:35-41
Hebrews 11:1-2,8-19

WORD AMONG US