Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Today's Mass Readings

God makes three promises to Abraham. But first, put yourself in Abraham’s place—none of these promises seem to be happening, and some of them seem like a far and distant reality (if not an impossibility altogether). Abraham probably felt some doubt and uncertainty about how all of this would come about. Like all human beings, he must have wanted some assurance and security.

We can seek security and comfort in many things, even in our spiritual lives. We want to know that we are growing closer to God, we want to know exactly where we are on the path to holiness, or we want to know that what we are doing is enough. Sometimes even our spiritual practices themselves make us feel comfortable and secure. But, even our devotions are not an end in themselves, they must lead us to find our security and hope in God alone.

God is our only real security in this life, and only in Him should we place our trust.

Abraham would have to learn the difficult path of what it means to trust God. He would have to choose to trust God, and the trust would be tested many times over. Abraham was tested when God asked him to leave his home country for another land, he had to trust that even at his old age he would have a child, and then when that son, Isaac, was born, God gave him the ultimate test of asking him to sacrifice Isaac.

Every day we still have to decide whether or not we will trust and rely on God alone. Whenever I am examining my level of trust in God, I’ll prayerfully reflect and ask myself: “What, besides Christ, is taking the center in my life? What competes for ‘first place’ in my heart? Am I looking for Jesus, or am I seeking security in something or someone else?”

Reflection by Fr. Paul Sheller, OSB