The first words we hear this Sunday in the Liturgy of the Word are “God put Abraham to the test.” This week’s Connecting Point and Lent in general are God putting each one of us to the test, but, unlike Abraham, we get to choose the test.
God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son. As a parent, it’s impossible to fathom the courage and trust Abraham had in God to be willing to be willing to do this. As a parent, I would do anything to save my child including sacrificing myself as I am sure most parents would agree.
While not quite on the same level, each Lent, most Catholics look for something to give up (i.e. sacrifice) for the duration of the season as a form of fasting. It is often a small pleasure or indulgence, but on some level it is a sacrifice for us. Like me, you may choose the same sacrifice each year, but this Sunday’s Connecting Point is asking us to rethink our fast.
The question isn’t asking what we want to sacrifice, but rather what God is calling us to sacrifice. Each of the readings this Sunday involve listening to God which is how we can differentiate between those two ideas. Abraham had to listen to learn what God was calling him to do. Then in the Gospel, when Jesus and his disciples went up the mountain, God told the disciples to listen to Jesus.
We know that we need to listen, but sometimes we only hear what we want to hear and block out the rest. If you are fasting from a small pleasure or indulgence, it’s not to late to stop, listen to God, and pray on what may be a more meaningful sacrifice on your Lenten journey. True sacrifice allows us to be be imitators of Christ, sharing in His suffering and sacrifice and fostering a deeper connection with Jesus, acknowledging His sacrifice for our sins.
Overall, the sacrifice of fasting during Lent is not just about abstaining from food or certain pleasures; it’s a holistic spiritual practice designed to bring us closer to God and better prepare us to celebrate His Resurrection at Easter. So what are you going to sacrifice from this point forward?