First Reading:  Genesis 22:1-18

The Will of God

The story of Abraham and Isaac is a familiar. Unfortunately its familiarity causes some to overlook its import. The story has asked (and still asks) a vital question to faith: can someone break God’s Law to fulfill God’s Will? On a deeper level, which is more important, God’s Law or God’s Will?

Do you remember the silly question about God’s power: can God create a rock that is too heavy for him to lift? Replace the notion of the rock with the Law. Now, view the problem. Can God’s Law overpower his Will? More to the point, can God’s Law get in our way to fulfill his Will? Abraham was willing to break God’s Law so he could follow God’s call.

Paul must have grabbled with the problem. A Pharisee zealous for the Law, but receiving salvation outside the Law. From a Savior charged and executed for transgressing the Law. (Remember, Jesus was charge for the blasphemy of claiming to be the Messiah!)

Before you despair over such a Gordian note, gentle reader, four things must be pointed out. First, the story of Abraham and Isaac was deliberately polarized to make a point. Simply obeying God’s Law is not enough. One must seek God’s will in and through his Law. And, one must even trust God when he calls him outside his Law.

Second, Paul said Christians were free from the Law. But, instead of license, Paul held moral freedom must be exercised for the common good. God’s will works for the good of all. So, should we.

Third, the story must be read through tradition. The story of Abraham and Isaac is an archtype for God’s self-giving. His Son died on the cross for the good of all, just as Isaac’s near death would fulfill God’s promise to Abraham. This is why parish communities read the narrative on the Easter Vigil.

Fourth, logic fans, there is a way out of the problem. Remember question about God’s power. Actually, the problem can be broken into two parts, two questions. Can God create an infinitely large rock? The answer is “Yes.” Can God lift that rock? Again, the answer is “Yes.” (If the answer was “no” to the second question, then the being in question would not be the truly all-powerful God.) Now, replace the object with God’s Law. Can God perfectly express his will in his Law? The answer is “Yes.” This is the essence of Judaism. Can God’s will work outside of that perfect Law? Again, the answer is “Yes.” This is the essence of Christianity.

Can you see God’s will through his Law? How dangerous can it be to seek God’s will outside his Law? How have you realized God’s will in your life?