Daily Retreat 04/06/06

2006 Apr 6 Thu: Lenten Weekday

Gn 17: 3-9/ Ps 104(105): 4-5. 6-7. 8-9/ Jn 8: 51-59

From today’s readings: "God also said to Abraham: On your part, you and your descendants after you must keep My covenant throughout the ages.... The Lord remembers His covenant for ever.... Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM."

Our Father Abraham

Many Christians have only a vague familiarity with Abraham and his importance in the history of salvation. But, in the first book of the Bible, Genesis, Abraham is clearly central - of the 50 chapters of Genesis, 12 focus almost entirely on Abraham (cc. 12-24; Joseph is the only other patriarch with similar attention in Genesis). True, Noah's paternity reaches back even further, but he is thus ancestor to all peoples, whereas Abraham is the father specifically to the Israelite people.

Abraham's importance, of course, stems from the covenantal relationship God solemnized with him and his descendants. On the basis of this covenant, Jews recognize Abraham as their great "father in faith," and so, Christians too need to realize how prominently he figures in the whole history of salvation.

In this context, Christ's comments about Abraham (which attest to personal familiarity!) can be felt with the full weight of their eternal significance: Jesus said to them, "Abraham your father rejoiced to see My day; he saw it and was glad.... Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM." God's election of Abraham was the beginning of His chosen people, but the entire plan was done in light of the future coming of Christ!