Readings: Genesis 17:3-9, Ps. 105:4-9, John 8:51-59
“I will establish my covenant between me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant.” (Genesis 17:7)
- In John 6, Jesus told us: “I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.” (John 6:51). In this same light, Jesus is saying to us today: “If anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” (John 8:51).
- Jesus was not simply talking about our life on earth; He was talking about our true Life, the Life beyond, the Life that Never Ends. Based on this supernatural life, Jesus could say to the Jews: “Before Abraham was, I am.” This was too difficult for the Jews to understand, and many still do not understand today. The few years we live on earth are not our real life; our true life begins afterward.
- As God revealed himself to Moses as “I Am” in Exodus 3:14, Jesus tells his true identity as “I Am.” Jesus did not say, “Before Abraham was, I was” (past tense); instead, he said, “Before Abraham was, I Am,” meaning He always was and will be forever. The Jews picked up stones to throw at Jesus. What an irony. How often do we pick up stones to throw at those we should listen to? How frequently do we undermine the truth because it differs from what we are used to? Indeed, there are certain truths we cannot grasp unless we believe.
- Even though Abraham was childless, our first reading today tells how God changed his name from Abram (exalted father) to Abraham (father of a multitude). It was with faith that Abraham accepted this change of name and agreed to be called a father of many nations.
- Reflecting on today’s First Reading, St. Paul writes: “Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become ‘the father of many nations’ … He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was already as good as dead (for he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God could do what he had promised. Therefore, his faith was reckoned to him as righteousness.” (Romans 4:18-22)
- To hope in God is to believe He can bring life out of what is already dead. Our hope is never based on our visible circumstances; instead, it is built solely on what God can do. This hope operates through the eyes of faith. Like Abraham, you may consider your body as good as dead, but let your focus be on what God is capable of doing. Don’t be distracted by your situation; look at God instead. Do not make the mistake of the Jews who were only focused on Jesus’ humanity without seeing His divinity. To them, Jesus was in his thirties, but in reality, Jesus was far older than Abraham.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, bless us with the kind of faith Abraham had. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Thursday of the 5th week of Lent, Liturgical Colour: Violet. Bible Study: Genesis 17:3-9, Ps. 105:4-9, John 8:51-59).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu