In chapter seventeen of the Book of Genesis, Abram becomes Abraham, and Sarai becomes Sarah. The first reading for today’s liturgy features this chapter of Genesis and restates the covenant into which God and Abraham enter. God will provide that Abram will be the father of “many nations,” and Sarah will be the princess “of many.”
Abram can be translated as “father of a nation,” and Sarai as “princess.” As we have already heard, impatient for God’s promise to be fulfilled, Sarai gave Abraham her slave Hagar through whom Abram begets Ishmael. Thirteen years pass, and God once again visits Abram and insists that he and Sarai will have a son. Changing their names to indicate that it will be through Isaac that God’s promise is fulfilled, God amplifies and makes certain that Abram understands by changing his name. Both Abraham and Sarah still have their doubts. God places a condition on the covenant; namely, that Abraham must walk in God’s presence and remain blameless. It can be inferred from this condition that his life after the birth of Ishmael has been other than blameless. In fact we know that both Sarah and Abraham have dealt sinfully with Hagar and her son Ishmael.
Such details from our salvation history point us toward the realization of the promises made by God. In this instance, we can see that God is preparing us for the advent of Jesus who, because of his obedience, becomes the Lord of all nations and King of the universe. God’s promises bring abundance. God does not hold back in being generous.
Indeed, we have been the beneficiaries of this bounty. We have reaped a rich reward through our faith in Jesus – life everlasting. Those who walk in God’s presence are assured of God’s abundant love which has produced many nations, all of which are destined to sing God’s praises.
Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator