March 5th Reflection by Bill Lynch

Genesis 21:1-7 (NRSV)
God gives Abraham and Sarah a son
The Lord dealt with Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as he had promised. Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham gave the name Isaac to his son whom Sarah bore him. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. Now Sarah said, "God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me." And she said, "Who would ever have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age."

Reflection
Abraham and his belief in God is about to grow in faith as he witnesses the birth of Isaac. God has done what seemed to be impossible in giving a child to an extremely elderly couple in natural birth. So the name Isaac was given for more reasons than one. Laughter not only for the situation but laughter for the joy of God's promise and Word be kept alive and well.

Laughter amidst pain though. For this is the dividing point of a couple of world religions. Abraham and Isaac or what about Abraham and Ishmael (see picture). Both accounts lead back to the belief and faith of Abraham in God. Peoples divide but God unites in faith. As we look to God in faith we have seen the story unfold through our Savior Jesus. Through the covenant of circumcision God has promised to save us and has. In Jesus we look to the hope of the resurrection and work towards our calling to love the sick, the poor, and all those in need. We are called to proclaim the Gospel that God has given us through Jesus to all the world. God saves and has saved and we can rejoice. We can rejoice even though we are in the midst of the fire and in the midst of a sinful world, for we have a faith and a hope for new things to come. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, teach me to love all people of this earth and to be bold enough to proclaim the love you show to all throughout the ages... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen