Exiit qui seminar - The Sacrifice

Exiit qui seminat

In today's first reading for the 2nd Sunday of Lent, we hear the Lord tell Abraham to offer his only Son, Isaac, as a holocaust. The whole story can be shocking to the listener because the only thing that Abraham and Sarah wanted, the only thing that mattered, was for them to have a son. Why would God ask for such a thing, after having gifting Abraham and Sarah with a child? Even though it's not a part of today's readings, Abraham had the faith in his heart to know that the Lord would not renege on that promise. In fact, when Isaac asks his father where the sacrifice was, we hear Abraham say, “God will provide the sheep for the burnt offering” (Gen 22:8). And that's exactly what the Father does. He Himself provides a ram to offer in Isaac's stead. As we well know, this will not be the only time the Lord will use a ram or lamb in order to save His people. Through the Passover of the Lord, it is through the blood of an unblemished male lamb that frees the Israelites from slavery to Egypt. Both of these events in Genesis and Exodus are precursors of what Christ does for, not just the Chosen People of Israel, but for all of us. For our sake, to conquer sin and death forever, the Father does not spare His Son, the Lamb of God who out of love willingly becomes the new and eternal sacrifice. Once again, God provides for the offering. So as we continue our Lenten journey, what is our response? Do we show gratitude for everything that the Lord has done for us or do we take it for granted? Are we willing to offer all that we hold dear to God like Abraham did, knowing in faith that He will continue to fulfill His promise? Or do we shy away, afraid of what God asks of us due to our weak faith? In the midst of our spiritual successes and failures, we turn to acts of prayer, fasting and almsgiving that we strive to listen to the Beloved Son of God who intercedes for our souls.

Sincerely yours in Christ Fr. Rob Sinatra