Abraham’s Journey to the Promised Land- Jun 23 – Homily – Fr John Lawrence

 

Fr John Lawrence gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Jun 23, 2025, where he explores Abraham's exemplary faith and obedience to God's call to journey to Canaan, marking the beginning of his covenant relationship.

Father reflects on Abraham's journey, emphasizing his faith as described in Hebrews 11: 8, where "by faith, Abraham obeyed when He was called to go out to a place that He was to receive as an inheritance." He, originally named Abram, left Ur at 75, trusting God's call despite not knowing his destination, as implied in Genesis 12: 1-4. Father notes the cultural context, where close familial marriages were common, as seen in Sarah being Abraham's half-sister. God's promises of nationhood, a great name, and universal blessing, found in Genesis 12: 2-3, deepen into a covenant as Abraham proves faithful. Father connects this to the Catechism of the Catholic Church in paragraph 59, which highlights Abraham's role as the father of faith for believers. Abraham's altars in Canaan mark it as a holy land, reflecting his growing relationship with God, who appeared to him, as in Genesis 12: 7. His obedience inspires spiritual descendants, aligning with Catechism of the Catholic Church in paragraph 145, which praises his faith as a model for the Church.

Genesis 12: 1-9 - NAB - God's call to Abram - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/12?1
Hebrews 11: 8 - NAB - Abraham's faith and obedience - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/11?8
Catechism of the Catholic Church #59 - Abraham's role in salvation - Text: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p1s1c2a1.htm#59
Catechism of the Catholic Church #145 - Abraham as faith model - Text: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p1s1c3a1.htm#145
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1819 - Faith and obedience - Text: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c1a7.htm#1819
Catholic Answers - Abraham's Faith - Overview of Abraham's role - https://www.catholic.com/encyclopedia/abraham
Wikipedia - Abraham in Catholicism - Historical and theological context - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham#Christianity



00:00 - Intro
00:14 - Abraham's name change
00:38 - Family background
00:49 - Historical context
01:26 - Marriage customs
02:29 - Canaan journey
05:10 - Covenant promises
06:12 - Holy land altars

Ave Maria!

Mass: Monday 12th Week of Ordinary Time - Wkdy
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/062325.cfm
1st: gen 12:1-9
Resp: psa 33:12-13, 18-20, 22
Gsp: mat 7:1-5

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1425

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