In the first part of the book of Genesis we hear of the story of two contentious brothers: Cain and Abel – the story did not have a happy ending: and fratricide in a lot of forms still exists today; today, in the first reading, we have the story of another pair of brothers who lived, for the most part, a life of contention – and whose descendants are still living the "bad blood" between them to this day: Ishmael and Isaac: both sons of Abraham: but the first from the slave mother Hagar, and the second from the free mother Sarah.
What is always encouraging in this on-going "family feud" is that there exists the real possibility of a permanent reconciliation: the brothers did come together peacefully at one time to mourn the death of their father Abraham: so it is possible for life to come from death! Perhaps this historical reference can help deal with the situation, along with a new "common effort" to take the focus from the two individual parties involved.
The whole story of the birth of Ishmael ought to raise questions in our minds in the first place. Why is this rift in existence at all? Impatience is the answer! Abraham was impatient! God promised him to be the "father of a host of nations" – but ten years past and "nothing happened," yet! He and his aged wife were still "infertile," physically. So becoming impatient Abraham had a child through a concubine – with Sarah's permission (which was an acceptable practice at this time) – this child was named Ishmael (meaning "your message has been heard"); then, Abraham became the father of Isaac by Sarah his wife in keeping with the Lord's promise. Hagar and Ishmael were taken to the desert and abandoned, but the Lord saved them and Ishmael became the leader of the Arab nations. But, this whole situation could have been avoided in the first place if only Abraham had been patient with God's will and ways!
And so, doing God's will – the way he wants it, when he wants it – is always the best way to approach anything: especially, if God has already promised something to be done. Let it work out – in due time – in the natural and inspired way – without our fingerprints all over it! How many families have had Ishmael/Isaac experiences in them due to impatience?
The gospel passage reminds us that prayer – crying Lord, Lord is only effective when it is applied to God's projects rather than our own. If we did 100 projects completely of our own initiative, choosing and planning and did not involve God in the process at all – they will mean nothing; compared to one project done because we consulted with God, asked his guidance, followed his inspiration, and fulfilled the requirements with his help: this will be like the house that withstood the winds, the rains and the floods – because it will have God himself as its foundation, its walls and its defender.
Perhaps focusing on what is truly God's will can be the common denominator for the Arabs and the Israelis, the Protestants and the Catholics, the pagans and the Christians – and a happy result can be forthcoming: a result that will produce peace, and joy and love forever in the Kingdom to come!
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