Spiritual Corner -- First and Foremost Element of Faith -- Willingness to Sacrifice

We often easily claim that we believe in and rely on God, but we seldom consider what we have to pay with the word “Faith”.

In today’s First Reading, we see the sacrifice of our patriarch Abraham. We can imagine that Abraham’s feeling at that point should be like what is said in the Responsorial Psalm, “I kept on believing, even when I said, ‘I am greatly afflicted’” (Psalms 116:10). ‘Abraham’s faith was revealed when he said, “God will provide himself a victim for the holocaust” (Genesis 22:8). Abraham obeyed God’s word, and was the one who was willing to believe and rely on God’s will, but the one who was willing to sacrifice for men was God. Let us take a look at the priests and nuns in our Holy Church. They are God’s children who are willing to consecrate their lives to serve God; and their parents, are they not acting like Abraham in following God’s will and offering their beloved children to God?

Nevertheless, just as what is said in the Second Reading: He did not spare his own Son, but offered him for us all, as a ransom for our sins and death. Thus, would not God’s magnificent grace deserve our true repentance in response?

Repentance starts with “obeying” Jesus, God’s beloved Son. Today’s Gospel Reading says, “This is my most beloved son; listen to him.” (Mark 9:7). “Obedience”, therefore, is the most direct response in faith. In the Gospels, we find Jesus talking to Elijah and Moses about His death, so this clearly revealed that God in the first instance was willing to sacrifice His only Son Jesus Christ, while Jesus Christ was willing to obey His Heavenly Father’s will of sacrificing His life for the ransom of men’s sins. On our journey of faith, let us all be willing to put in action what is comparable to our repentance.

Excerpt from the Bible Study Society Website