B: Feast of the Holy Family (27 Dec 2020) - TAKING PRIDE IN OUR FATHER (Gen 15:1-6; 21:1-3)

Our first reading is taken from two separate episodes in the life of Abraham. The first of our reading (Gen 15:1-6) deals with God’s call of Abraham. However, the problem he had was that he was childless, and such a predicament gave him much fear (v.2). God, meanwhile, comforted him and promised him that his descendants would be as plenty as the stars (v. 5). To these words, instantaneously, “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness” (v. 6). In this episode, we can see how Abraham trusted fully in the Lord’s promise, believing God even without understanding completely his designs.

The second part of our reading (Gen 21:1-3) deals with Sarah’s childbearing in fulfilment of God’s promise to Abraham (v. 1). The couple named their son Isaac, which literally means “God laughs” in reference to the incident when Sarah laughed (Hebrew word is yishaq, thus, Isaac) after hearing the prophecy of Abraham’s visitors that she would conceive a child at her old age (Gen 18:12-15). From the biblical story of Isaac’s birth, we can say that truly nothing is impossible with God. When he promised something, it will happen especially if the recipient is a righteous person like Abraham.

On account of his unwavering faith in God and righteousness in his ways, Abraham has been known as the father of the Jewish faith. Bound by a culture that gives prominence to the beth ha’ab (“house of the father”), the Jews naturally render their highest respect to their ancestors. In particular, since Abraham was the one Yahweh forged a covenant with (Gen 15:4-5), his Jewish descendants take pride in having a genealogical connection with him. But since Abraham was also the spiritual father of the Christians (through Isaac’s lineage; cf. Gen 25:7-11) and the Muslims (through Ishmael’s lineage; cf. Gen 25:12-18), he is arguably the father of the faith of the three big religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

While the greater population of our world take pride in Abraham’s legacy and faith, there is no doubt that he is likewise proud of all us, especially if we bear the faith and walk in righteousness. Abraham’s great joy was reflected at the birth of Isaac (Gen 21:3), whose name suggests that God is laughing or joyful somewhere. Indeed, the real happiness of a parent lies on his/her children. A true parent longs for his/her progenies to reach their stars and fulfill their dreams armed with the values s/he imparted on them. Their happiness becomes equally his/hers.

In this regard, I remember my own spiritual father, Fr. O’Connell, an Irish Columban missionary assigned to the Philippines for a very long time. In the 80’s he played a huge part on many “firsts” in my Catholic upbringing. He was the first priest I ever talked to, he listened to my first confession, and he gave me my first communion. But shortly after these “firsts,” he was assigned to other parishes, and I lost track of him. Fast forward in 2004—some 20 years after—I attended a vicariate meeting of priests in the Our Lady of Remedies Parish, Malate, Manila. I discovered that one of the priests assigned there was Fr. O’Connell. I happily introduced myself to him and recalled his stay in our place. I could see that he was very glad to discover that I became a priest like him. Filled with excitement, he then led me into a small room and had me seated. He knelt before me and started saying his confession. After the sacrament of reconciliation, I asked him why he chose me to be his confessor that day. He simply replied that he was humbled that his years of working in the Lord’s vineyard had finally paid off with my ordination. He simply became very proud of me and was happier than ever.

If we on earth can experience moments of happiness by the success and happiness of our family members, how much more is our Father in heaven when we live in sanctity, peace, and joy?

- Rex Fortes, CM