Sacrifice

There is perhaps no more poignant story in the Bible than that of Abraham's sacrifice of his son Issac. 

After these things God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here am I.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac; and he cut the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. (Genesis 22:1-3)

We can only imagine the feelings that Abraham had as he heard these words from God, or can we? As we read this story we see that at no time did Abraham complain, at no time did he hesitate, at no time did he refuse to do what God had commanded him. Abraham accepted the will of God and did it: 

When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. Then Abraham put forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. (Genesis 22:9-10)

Would we have enough faith and trust in God to do as Abraham had? Do we have enough faith and trust in God to do the simple things that God commands us even today. Can we love our neighbor? Can we help those less fortunate that us? Can we have mercy, compassion and humility. These things pale in comparison to the command given to Abraham, yet while he willingly did the will of God, we most often rebel. 

But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here am I.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. (Genesis 22:11-13)

Abraham's fear of God and his faith in God enabled him to willingly obey God's commands. His reward was the sparing of his son and a blessing upon his and his descendants. Today, we rarely fear anything. In fact, society encourages us not to be afraid of anything. But the fear of the Lord is something that is necessary for our salvation and eternal life. We are commanded during this Lenten period to do certain things: fast, prayer, give alms, attend services. Lest us have the fear, the fear of judgment, and the faith, the faith of love, so that we too can be like Abraham and willingly do the things commanded us by God.