This week’s first reading from Genesis begin with chapter 12 and the time of the patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. They represent “a forward step in the divine plan to bring about recognition of the divine blessing promised to the world, if only humanity would obey and honor God.”   (BG 66. Catholic Study Bible)   

The Old Testament stories can be puzzling, sometimes unjust by our standards. Think about the sacrifice of Isaac and Sarah’s cruel treatment of Hagar. It’s hard for us to see this period as “a forward step” and realize that “the overall purpose of Genesis 12-50 is to carry forward God’s promise “despite all obstacles.” (BG 70)

Psalm 33, read on Monday, insists God’s promise is to make Israel that step forward and a blessing for all the nations: “Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he has chosen for his own inheritance. From heaven the LORD looks down; he sees all mankind.”

Our gospel readings from the Sermon on the Mount end this week. Jesus goes down to the plain, the real world, where he meets a leper and then a paralyzed man. (Saturday). His “real world” was like the world of Abraham and the Jewish prophets. He brought it a step forward to the Kingdom of Heaven God promised.

Still, it’s hard to see his times as a “step forward”, isn’t it? But, can we see our times now as a “step forward”? Yet they are.

We’re celebrating this week the Birth of John the Baptist (Tuesday) and feast of Sacred Heart. (Friday)