I used to wonder how God could lie to Abraham about sacrificing his son Isaac. But the story begins by telling us God put Abraham to the test. Abraham himself seems to know it’s a test. Apparently, I’m the only one fooled by God.
I don’t know if I would have passed the test. I would have at least argued with God about it, begging him to spare my son. Yet in our second reading, St. Paul reminds us that God did not spare his own son. (Rom 8:32) He passed his own test. Jesus was sacrificed so that God could show us how much he loved us. If God loves us so much that he gives his Son to die for us, why would he not forgive us? He doesn’t. But he is still testing us.
What does that tell us about life? You may have noticed that things don’t always go your way. Does that mean those tragedies are our fault? No, God gives everyone free will and some people choose to do wrong. God intervenes sometimes and lives are saved. Other times, God intervenes by saving us after death with our resurrection. As long as people doubt God’s love, there will be tests. That’s why it is so important to proclaim the Kingdom: so that someday all people will know God’s love and not need to be tested.
Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications
Readings: Second Sunday of Lent | USCCB