“But with regard to Abraham, it was different. He was enjoined to do what was opposed to the promises; and yet not even so was he troubled, nor did he stagger, nor think he had been deceived. But you endure nothing except what was promised, yet you are troubled.” — St. John Chrysostom
Ancient people understood that sacrifices made to God were not trivial things. They knew that sacrifice had to count, to be a real tribute. Abraham seems to know this too, as he was willing to offer his son, his only son, his beloved son (see Gn 22:2). He imitates God the Father, who offers his Son, his only Son, his beloved Son, for the remission of our sins. We can see in the Eucharist the depths of love of the Father, poured out in the death and resurrection of the Son. This offering gives us strength, even as the example of Abraham consoles us. As mysterious as God’s command seemed to him, he obeyed and was blessed. We have the advantage of knowing the rest of the story, of seeing the sacrifices of our lives from the perspective of the sorrow and glory of the Cross!
LET US PRAY
Heavenly Father, increase my trust and confidence in you. May I look to Abraham and discover again the signs of your mercy and faithfulness. When I gaze at the Eucharist, may I always see your Son, your only Son, your beloved Son. Amen.
PRAYER TO THE EUCHARIST
O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament have left us a memorial of your Passion, grant us, we pray, so to revere the sacred mysteries of your Body and Blood that we may always experience in ourselves the fruits of your redemption. Who live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
-Collect for the Feast of Corpus Christi, composed by St. Thomas Aquinas