Homily: First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church
Homily: First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church (2021) Genesis 21:5, ff / “God has Chosen Us to Be His People”
God interacted with Abraham and Sarah and the Lord established the Jewish people through them. Abraham and Sarah seemed unlikely parents for Isaac. As we know they were both beyond the age to have children, yet God brought it about.
We forget that Abraham was father of another race of people other than the Hebrew people. He was the father of the Arabian people. Again, Abraham seemed like an unlikely ancestor to this ethnic group. We read the story today.
Abraham and Sarah did not trust the Lord and they tried to take matters into their own hands to produce offspring for Abraham. Hagar, Sarah’s maid servant, was given to Abraham by Sarah, and she became a surrogate mother for Abraham’s child. When a son called Ishmael was born, it seemed like he would be Abraham’s only heir.
But God acted and Sarah became pregnant and had her son, Isaac. When Isaac was born, Sarah felt that Hagar and Ishmael were a threat. Would Isaac be the heir to Abraham or would Ishmael? Sarah wanted Abraham to drive Hagar and Ishmael away.
Thus, we come to the story we have today where God intervenes and protects the lives of Hagar and Ishmael. God had plans for Ishmael as well. The Arabians look at him as a great ancestor and as their race as being chosen.
Feeling chosen is an edifying and uplifting feeling. With this designation also comes great responsibility. We are reminded today that we are all chosen and that we have the responsibility to be the holiest people we can be.
Reflection Questions
- Have I ever pondered what it means for a nation to be chosen? Do the Jews have a special responsibility to be Holy?
- God takes bad situations and redeems them for his purposes. Are there other situations you can think of in Bible where this is the case?
Dear Parishioners,
During the last year and a half many people have postponed weddings. We are now fully open so if anyone knows of a couple that wants to get married at Sacred Heart, please have them contact the parish office.
There are also no limitations on guests for Baptisms. We will try to help parents if their children need this sacrament.
We are having funeral luncheons at Culemans Hall as well. We are trying to offer all the options we offered before the pandemic for funerals. Please keep all this in mind and pass the information along to those that you know.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you.
Fr. Mark