ABRAHAM AND THE PASCHAL MYSTERIES


THURSDAY, FIFTH WEEK OF LENT

Gen 17:3-9; Ps 105:4-9; Jn 8:51-59

The Mysteries as path to Inheritance of God

The constant and consistent meditation on the word of God brings us into a loving relationship with God, which is the everlasting covenant relation he established with Abraham. Abraham was so faithful in this practice that the word of God formed his worldview and characterised his life. His life was a devotion to God and his word. We used the language of espousal, which the scriptures use to describe Israel’s relationship with God. What is said of the people of God is particularly true of a faithful soul. Thus, we note the mutual consecration evident in the covenant relationship between God and Abraham. “Abram bowed to the ground and God said this to him, ‘Here now is my covenant with you: you shall become the father of a multitude of nations. You shall no longer be called Abram; your name shall be Abraham, for I make you father of a multitude of nations. I will make you most fruitful. I will make you into nations, and your issue shall be kings.’” If we understand these words as spiritual espousal, then the fruitfulness granted to Abram, which changed his name to Abraham, is more spiritual than physical. So, the children referred to by God are children of God and Abraham, who are born of his faith and devotion to the word of God.      

Saint Paul precedes us in this spiritual understanding of the covenant between God and Abraham, as he explained in Romans 4. The spiritual understanding clarifies how Abraham’s issue will be kings. Everyone reborn of faith in the word of God is a king, for he rules over his land, namely, his body. All who believe in the word of God and have devotion to God through his word enjoy the perpetual covenant relationship. The covenant is the Word of God, who is God and Man. From all peoples and nations, men and women enter the everlasting covenant with God through faith in his word. “I will establish my Covenant between myself and you, and your descendants after you, generation after generation, a Covenant in perpetuity, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.” Abraham’s devotion earned him these perpetual blessings, especially his inheritance of God. He would bring forth the children of God in union with God. Only devotion enabled Abraham to conceive the word and bring the children of God to birth.

The incarnation of the Eternal Word fulfils the spiritual aspect of the covenant promise, which is to help us possess the land we live in perpetuity. Thus, by the coming of the Word in human nature, we have God properly as our own through faith, for he is the head of the Church, his body. By the sacrifice or consecration of his body, we are set free from slavery to sin, evil, and death, to freely consecrate our bodies to God in true and spiritual worship. Jesus states this in the gospel. “I tell you most solemnly, whoever keeps my word will never see death.” He also confirmed that Abraham understood the spiritual meaning and fulfilment of the covenant promises made to him would be through the incarnation of the Word of God. “Your father Abraham rejoiced to think that he would see my Day; he saw it and was glad.” The coming of the Eternal Word in human flesh is the logical end of God’s devotion to man, just as our becoming sons of God in the Son was the logical result of our devotion to the word of God. From the foregoing, we understand that the paschal mysteries constitute the path to our inheritance of God. Our devotion to these mysteries enables us to enter into communion with God and possess the Promised Land of our bodies in righteousness and heaven when God will raise our mortal bodies in immortal form. What Abraham rejoiced to see in the future, we now have in the reality of the paschal mysteries. “Consider the Lord and his strength; constantly seek his face. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, the judgments he spoke.”

Let us pray: Be near, O Lord, to those who plead before you, and look kindly on those who place their hope in your mercy, that, cleansed from the stain of their sins, they may persevere in holy living and be made full heirs of your promise. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

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