Reflection for Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
“If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works of Abraham.”
What are the works of Abraham? Abraham is called our father of faith. His work is his faith. Imagine being called by a god you do not know, going to a land you have never been, and receiving a promise you will never see. If this happened to you, how would you respond? Would you react as Abraham or respond like the Pharisees who confront Jesus?
We might not realize it, but that calling has taken place in your life. Jesus Christ, whom you have never seen, has called you to a land you have never been to receive a promise you will not see this side of death. He has called you to the Christian life.
When speaking to Thomas after the Resurrection, Jesus proclaims, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” You have chosen to believe, so rejoice. Our true homeland? It is heaven, the abode of the living, our final resting place. Rejoice, for you believe. Our promise is everlasting life. Keep the faith and live. We are children of Abraham because we do the works of Abraham, having faith. Strengthen that faith with the hope that Jesus Christ, God made visible, is trustworthy.
Reflection: Do we say daily the prayer of the man whose child needed to be healed, “I do believe, help my unbelief”? We are called to have faith; let us hold to it and, in moments of darkness, pray.
Reflection by Fr. Etienne Huard, OSB
Posted in Daily Reflections, Lenten Resources