In
the gospel passage today Jesus is trying to make the point that
those who keep the covenant and commandments that his Father made with Abraham
(and his descendants) are also obeying him because he was also present at the
time those covenants and commands were given – and that their reward will be
everlasting life. The Jews however are not convinced of his legitimacy and they
mock him saying: You are not yet fifty
years old, how could you have seen Abraham and been with him when God spoke
with him?
Jesus, in an exasperating way,
raises his voice and cries out: Listen to
me! before Abraham came to be, I AM.
I am eternal! I am with God
always! I am present in all my
Father’s dealings with the human race. So
they picked up stones to throw at him; but
Jesus hid and went out of the temple area: to await his hour when more than
stones will be thrown at him.
In the first reading we see
the historic covenant made between God and Abram: it was the cause of the
changing of his name to Abraham, and
it was the cause of many graces and blessings on him and his physical and
spiritual descendants; but the other end of the deal must never be overlooked:
he would be their God, but they must obey the commands of the covenant – all of
them: and thus they would be eligible for countless blessings.
May we the children of
Abraham, the children of God be quick to obey with our spiritual fathers:
imitate their example, and win the prize that they won for us by their
obedience: life on high forever, with God, his Son and the communion of saints!
If
today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts
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