Today begins with another horrific story from the Old Testament. Can it be true that God tested Abraham in such an appalling manner. Why would God need such a proof of fidelity? God knows all even to thee depths of our feelings and beliefs. There is nothing more pathetic than the boy Isaac's question. "Daddy where is the lamb". God knows all  and, of course this episode reminds us instantly of God's own sacrifice of  himself through his Son. But we cannot ignore the question of how could God ask anyone to kill his child in praise of Him. One way round it is to ignore the narrative and take it aa a symbolic condemnation of human sacrifice in general and particularly the Canaanite practice of infant sacrifice to baal . 

 Did the believers Jesus preached to believe the symbolic message or did they believe the literal truth of the text of scripture. That the Jews of Jesus day were believers is illustrated by the general reaction to the miracle they witnessed. The learned see Jesus' action as a breaking of the law against blasphemy . "Who is this man to forgive sins?"; the people are in awe and praise God that he has empowered such a man as Jesus. 

In the scriptures God makes it clear that he wants only good for his creation but also that he is so beyond us in his being that we can only understand him by truly being in awe before him. 

Dear Lord, you know that I want to live according to your choices for me. May my part in your Church become clear for me You know the difficulties for us on earth. May Our Lady and your saints in heaven  support us with the abundance that is your grace