Scripture
“All the communities of the earth shall find blessing in you.” Genesis 12:4
Reflection
With these words, God calls Abraham, the father of monotheistic faith. The readings for today culminate in Matthew’s account of the transfiguration of Jesus, shining with blinding light, who was joined by Moses, the liberator, and Elijah, the guarantor of a pure faith in a transcendent God. What we have this week is a spiritual genealogy of prophets, the revealers of God’s will, culminating in Jesus, the Word of God.
What have the prophets to do with us? From Psalm 33, we learn that the Lord “loves justice and right.” So, it is not enough to say “Lord, Lord!” We are commanded to DO something to demonstrate that we are friends of God – to work for justice.
For Elijah that meant that nothing is worthy of worship but the one true invisible God. Money, wealth, power, fame, vanity, and all our other obsessions must be put away in purifying ourselves of idolatry.
For Moses that meant being called to liberate God’s people from bondage and to speak as intermediary between Yahweh and the faithful, to whom he gave clear laws and instructions.
For Jesus, that meant healing, feeding, clothing, and comforting the least of us.
Putting this all together, we may hope to believe we are doing God’s will if others find blessings in us – the blessings of prayer, love, peace and justice.
Practice
This week how will you pray, show your love for others, promote peace and work for justice?
Dr. Robert Bourgeois, Professor and Director of Global Studies Program