Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.’”(Genesis 12:1)*_
When God is about to do something great and wonderful among humans, He begins by calling one person. The call of Abram in today’s first reading serves as a foundation for many other Bible calls.
In the case of Abram, there was no resistance or questioning. Even though Abram did not know where God was calling him, he obeyed, leaving his father’s house and his native country behind.
Like Abram, God continues to call us today to accomplish His will and purpose. If we listen well, we will hear God’s voice in the depths of our hearts. This might happen while reading a bible, listening to a sermon or even doing everyday activities.
Again, like Abram, God’s call often demands action. We realise that we become restless until we have obeyed the voice of God. In the case of Abram, God wanted him to leave his Father’s house. In your case, God might want you to go through a particular sinful relationship or stop a bad habit. God might want you to take your prayer life more seriously. Whatever the content of your call will be, it will be so clear that you will know it is coming from God.
In the Gospel passage, we come across another type of call. This one comes from Jesus himself. It is a call to EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE. A call to constantly look inwards to take out the logs in our eyes before attempting to remove the specks in our neighbour’s eyes.
Both calls require movement and sacrifice. While Abram had to let go of his father’s land, we are called to let go of our pride by examining our own lives rather than judging.
Let us claim the blessing of Abraham as we, too, respond to the Divine Call. I will make you a great nation! Amen. And I will bless you. Amen. And make your name great, Amen, so you will be a blessing. Amen. I will bless those who bless you. Amen. And him who curses you I will curse, Amen. And by you, all families of the earth shall bless themselves. Amen.
Let us pray: Almighty ever-living God, like Abram, move today from my old ways and worship you truly. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
Bible Study: Genesis 12:1-9, Ps. 33:12-13,18-20,22, Matthew 7:1-5).*
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu