There He Built An Altar To The Lord

June 26, 2007

Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

“I will make your descendants like the dust of the earth; if anyone could count the dust of the earth, your descendants too might be counted. Set forth and walk about in the land, through its length and breadth, for to you I will give it.” Genesis 13:16-17

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.” Matthew 7:13-14

Piety

If I was hungry, I would want people to give me food.

Why do I turn my back on people who are starving?

If I was dehydrated, I would want people to give me water.

Why do I divert my eyes from seeing people who are thirsty?

If I was cold, I would want people to give me a blanket.

Why do I turn a deaf ear to their pleas?

Holy Spirit, instill in me the generous of Abram to share your gifts with our sisters and brothers. May Abram lead us entering through the narrow gate. Amen.

Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/062607.shtml

Why was the Lord pleased with Abram? Why would he promise infinite descendants? Why would set before Abram the entire length and breadth of His creation? What did Abram do to deserve such generosity?

Because Abram entered through the narrow gate. Abram could have gone to war with Lot over who would graze their herd on which land. But he did not. In the exchange between Abram and Lot, they peacefully agree to share and divide the gifts they have received from God. Maybe he did it out of a sense of stewardship. Maybe it was to keep peace in the family among kinsmen. But whatever the reason, Abram pleased the Lord.

By living a life motivated by justice, stewardship and generosity, Abram gives Lot first choice over where to live and where his herd can graze. How different from the constant warfare, suicide bombers and “intifada’ that we know today in the Middle East!

Abram did not send in his strong herdsmen to beat up Lot’s crew and take over the land which they preferred. However, long before Jesus spoke of the golden rule and entering through the narrow gate, Abram lived it.

Do we always play fair? How do we share the gifts that the Lord has granted to us? Where have we built an altar to God?

Action

Think of a time when had a choice about properly utilizing resources.

• Did you feel entitled to a larger share of resources than others? Perhaps more water, more money or more energy?

• Were you fighting to win greater market share from your business rival so you could succeed and put the rival out of business?

• Did you think you should get a lower price on that car, suit, bike, appliance or computer?

• Did you feel entitled to use your bosses resources (time, computers, copiers) for personal work without reimbursing the cost?

Why do you think you felt that way?

Even though we no longer live in a society where we must fight for scarce food with our neighbors, we still live in a society where the “winner gets the spoils” or where the law is survival of the fittest, smartest, richest, most powerful. However, it is not that way everywhere in the world.

In many places, there is not enough food for all the people who live there. People in these regions rely, like the early disciples, on the goodness of others (governments, charities, churches, others) to provide their food. Some leave their homeland legally or illegally and seek a new life in economically prosperous places like the USA.

Last week, we heard readings that challenged us to sow as bountifully as we hoped to reap. In his recent book, The End of Poverty, Dr. Jeffrey Sachs explained that we have the knowledge and know the means to eliminate world poverty. What a beautiful picture that would make of building the Kingdom of God on earth. However, many comfortable people are contented to sit back while entire continents face death by starvation. Many farmers are paid subsidies NOT to grow crops while people in the world stare to death. Many governments and governmental organizations tell poor countries to scale back development plans – thus issuing the equivalent of a death sentence to large portions of their population.

What would Abram have done? Will you, too, take the path that leads to the entrance at the narrow gate – the entrance harder to pass through?

How can we change this? What can we plan to do about this?

1) Contact your elected lawmakers and urge them to action on your behalf.

2) Read Dr. Sachs’ book and think about your role in solving this global problem

3) Support one or more organizations like Catholic Relief Services, Doctors without Borders, Partners in Health or World Vision which are working in these regions.

4) Share everything.