In today's first reading from Genesis 12: 1-9, we encounter 75-year-old Abram, whom the Lord has just asked to take leave of his father's house and go forth to a land that God will show him. It's like God said to Abram: "Just leave! Just trust me and start out on a journey. I will reveal your destiny. I know where I want you to settle!" Not only that, but God says to Abram: "I will make of you a great nation--Abram and Sarai are childless--and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the communities of the earth shall find blessing in you."
Abram, we are told, "went as the Lord directed him" and "journeyed on by stages...." Along the way, Abram is accompanied by the Lord--the Lord reveals himself and speaks with his servant throughout the journey. At certain points on the journey, Abram builds altars to the Lord and worships Him.
We are not unlike Abram. As with Abram, God directs us along our faith journey, as well. At one time or other, each of us has been asked to leave "our father's house". We did so when we married or entered religious life or set out on a career as a single person to follow a dream that we believed was a calling from God. God went with us, walking behind us or in front of us, at our right and left side, never leaving us alone. Along the way, God has blessed us and, without us knowing it, stopped others from "cursing" us or tripping us up. Whatever obstacles we encountered, God helped up over the hurdles and continues to do so. Like Abram, hopefully, we have special places where we set up , or seek out, altars to worship the Lord.
Truly, we are walking on holy ground as the Lord sanctifies it and us as we journey to our eternal home in imitation of Abram, who has gone before us!
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