Read Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33 and Matthew 7:1-5 

“Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you.’”(Genesis 12:1) 

When God is about to do something great and wonderful among humans, He begins by calling one person. The call of Abram in today’s first reading serves like a foundation or a mould for so many other calls contained in the Bible.

In the case of Abram, there was no resistance or questioning. Even though Abram did not know where God was calling him to, he simply obeyed leaving his father’s house and his native country behind.

Like Abram, God continues to call us today to accomplish His will and purpose. If we listen well, we would hear God’s voice in the depths of our hearts. This might happen while reading a bible, listening to a sermon or even while doing our everyday activities.

Again, like Abram, God’s call often demands action. We realize that we become restless until we have obeyed the voice of God. In the case of Abram, God wanted him to leave his Father’s house. In your case, it might be that God wants you to leave a particular sinful relationship or stop a bad habit. It might be that God wants you to take your prayer life more seriously and so on. Whatever be the content of your call will, it will be so clear that you would know it is coming from God.

In the Gospel passage, we come across another type of call. This one comes from Jesus himself. It is a call to EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE. A call to constantly look inwards to take out the logs in our own eyes before attempting to remove the specks in our neighbors' eyes.

Both calls require movement and sacrifice. While Abram had to let go of his father’s land, we too are called to let go of our pride by examining our own lives rather than judging.

Let us claim the blessing of Abraham as we too respond to the Divine Call. I will make of you a great nation! Amen. And I will bless you. Amen. And make your name great, Amen. So that you will be a blessing, Amen. I will bless those who bless you, Amen. And him who curses you I will curse, Amen. And by you, all families of the earth shall bless themselves. Amen.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, may I like Abram move today from my old ways and worship you truly. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of week 12 in Ordinary Time, Memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious Bible Study: Genesis 12:1-9, Psalm 33 and Matthew 7:1-5).