What is the faith that leads to wholeness and fullness of life? What does it look like? These are the questions that our readings invite us to ponder today by presenting us with the story of Abraham and the story of the paralytic. Perhaps the most striking and surprising aspect of this kind of faith is its obedience and its willingness to sacrifice. Abraham is obedient to God even to the extent of being willing to sacrifice his only son and heir Isaac, who was born when Abraham was already a hundred years old. And even though the journey to Moriah takes three days, he does not waver in his resolve. More surprisingly, even though Abraham is prepared to sacrifice his son, he somehow still continues to entertain the impossible hope that God will yet fulfill his promise to him to make him into a great nation. This is the kind of faith that wins life. In contrast, the scribes in the gospel have grown stubborn in their own narrow notions of the Law. This man is blasphemingˇK And they miss their chance at recognizing and welcoming, in Jesus, the healing and life-giving presence of God.

How are we being called to obey and to sacrifice? In what way is the Lord calling us to faith today?