How can we pray to a God who asks Abraham to sacrifice his son? We may want to turn away from this story because it scares us to think about being asked to give up our most beloved relationships. We might be sure that losing them won’t happen to us anytime soon. And we are dismayed by the thought of contributing to this kind of loss.
There is an alternative to skipping the horrible feeling and moving quickly over this passage in Scripture. We might linger with the scene in the book of Genesis instead. Even when I would rather do something else, praying with it has unexpected blessings. First, praying with it takes away some of the fear of losing a beloved relationship. Fear thrives when I avoid looking at it. When I bring my fears before God, they lose their power to terrorize. Second, it teaches me about love. Love lasts beyond the prospect of death and cannot be diminished by the possibility of separation. In fact, it grows instead. Finally, while the passage opens with God asking for sacrifice, it is not the end of the story. God promises new life and that the impossible is possible with him.
I feel a little lighter after sitting with this troubling passage. The mystery is not solved. I am still confused and upset by God’s command to Abraham. But something happens when contemplating this scene nonetheless. It is like a burden I didn’t know I was carrying is lifted for a moment. I am left with a stronger desire to love God and the world. I am grateful for what I have received, and I want to care for my family, friends, and neighbors better in the time that I have been given. Life is more of a gift I want to savor. And I no longer want to pass by the unfathomable parts of Scripture looking the other way.
After all, the story of Abraham and Isaac says something important about God. God was willing to do what we think is impossible. God gave up his beloved son and suffered through his mistreatment and humiliation. He faced the horror of the crucifixion of Jesus and showed us by the resurrection that death is not the last word and that new life is possible. He understands our fears now. He will not flinch from facing loss and death with us and loving us through every trial.
Burt Howell
Burt Howell is the executive director of Intersections and the Center for Ignatian Spirituality at Boston College. He works primarily with faculty and staff to promote the University’s Jesuit, Catholic mission through programs such as retreats, pilgrimages, and immersion trips. He also teaches a seminar for undergraduates with high financial need.