Answering God’s Call with Trust and Mercy

Gen 12:1-9; Psalm: 32; Mt 7:1-5

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Today, we will reflect on how to answer God’s call with trust and mercy. Our journey of faith is marked by moments of radical detachment and obedience, much like Abram’s journey as described in Genesis chapter 12. When God called Abram to leave his homeland, he was asked to step into the unknown. Imagine the weight of that call. Abraham was not just leaving behind his physical home but also the security of familiarity.

Yet, he trusted God’s promise that he would be a blessing to the nations. This was not a mere transaction. It was a transformative moment that required Abraham to exercise a pilgrim faith. He stepped out in obedience, believing in the universal blessing that would flow through him. My dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, can we not see ourselves in Abram’s shoes? God calls each of us to embark on our own journeys of faith, urging us to let go of what is comfortable and to trust Him for what is yet to come.

As we reflect on this call to trust, let us also consider the call to mercy that Christ lays before us in Matthew 7. Jesus commands us to refrain from hypocritical judgment. He warns us against the danger of spiritual blindness that can cloud our vision and distort our understanding of others. How often do we find ourselves quick to judge our neighbors without first examining our own hearts? Jesus invites us to look inward before casting stones outward. This is an essential reminder that trust fuels mercy. In our daily lives, we are called to discern our own “go forth” moments. What is God asking you to leave behind? What familiar ground is He asking you to step away from? Each of us has a unique path, and God’s call may lead us in unexpected directions. Let us not hesitate to answer that call.

Next, we must examine our judgments. Are they rooted in love and compassion, or do they stem from a place of pride and misunderstanding? This self-examination is crucial. Before we can extend mercy to others, we must first receive it ourselves. We are all flawed beings in need of grace. When we acknowledge our own shortcomings, we become more compassionate towards those who struggle. Furthermore, let us actively seek blessings for others. When we pray for our neighbors, our communities, and even our adversaries, we participate in the very promise God made to Abraham. Through our prayers, we become conduits of God’s grace and mercy.

As we seek blessings, we invite God to work through us and to transform our hearts. In our journey, let us build altars. These altars serve as reminders of God’s faithfulness and mercy. They are places where we acknowledge His presence in our lives. Every time we encounter God’s mercy, let us create a monument of gratitude. Friends, as we answer God’s call with trust and mercy, let us remember that it is not merely about our individual faith journeys. It is about how our trust leads us to extend mercy to a world in need. May we follow in the footsteps of Abram and Christ, embracing the call to trust and to show mercy. Amen.

“By faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out… He went out, not knowing where he was to go” (CCC 145; Heb 11:8).

Pope Benedict XVI reflected: “Abraham, the father of believers, teaches us faith as a journey… a readiness to go out from oneself, trusting in God’s promise” (Homily, October 9, 2011).

St. John Chrysostom warns: “He that is harsh to others will be treated harshly by God… for God measures out to us as we measure out to others” (Homilies on Matthew, 23).

Pope Francis emphasizes: “We are all sinners… The judgment of God is with mercy. Always. First mercy, then judgment” (Homily, March 17, 2017).

St. Thérèse of Lisieux understood this: “If you are willing to bear serenely the trial of being displeasing to yourself, then you will be for Jesus a pleasant place of shelter.”