Leave To Reach

Gen 12:1-9
Matt 7:1-5

Abram and Sarai in today’s reading are called in their old years to embark on a journey filled with uncertainty and unknowns. “The LORD said to Abram: ‘Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.’” All this at 75 years old, as scripture says. And he goes. He knows he must go. He becomes a migrant. Even though he did not know where he was going, how long it would take or what sort of welcome he would find there, Abram went without question because he believed and trusted in the Lord and knew that the Lord would look after him no matter what lay ahead. Now let us think about all those today who are leaving the land of their kinsfolk in today’s massive migration of peoples. For whatever reason, they leave knowing the journey is dangerous and the destination uncertain. Would I have had the courage of Abram? Can I imagine what impels a person to become a refugee? Can I guarantee that all will be well for a friend who says, he wants to ‘Japaa’ ?

What I can do is, as the Gospel requires of me, “Stop judging, that you may not be judged…. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?”In other words, we are reminded by Jesus not to be hypocrites but to remember that as we judge others so too will be judged by others. Sometimes, the things we see in others which we do not like are only seen because we ourselves do the very thing we are giving out about. So we should not judge others but should leave the judging to God and strive to make our lives perfect for the day when He will judge us. I pray that I can be attentive to those who embark on an arduous journey and place them all into the care of a merciful and loving God. May He lead them safely to wherever their journey takes them.

Fr Joseph Osho