A GRANDFATHER IN PLACE OF HIS GRANDDAUGHTERS
Late last month, 77-year-old Manuel Pinzon was walking in his forest property with his twin granddaughters, Isa and Gabi (both 8). The girls had spotted a fawn, and they’d brought their grandfather out to see it. As they approached the site, they heard a loud crack from the trees overhead. A 75 lb. branch had broken off and was hurtling down toward the girls. Pinzon shoved his granddaughters out of the way but took the full impact of the branch. His granddaughters called 911 and tried to staunch the blood with a rag, but Pinzon died shortly after reaching the hospital. “You died for me,” one of the girls said afterward. “You are the only person that saved me.”
A RAM IN PLACE OF HIS SON
Today’s reading is the story of how God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son, Isaac. With his son bound and placed on the altar, Abraham raised the knife to take the life of his boy. An angel of the Lord intervened, indicating a ram caught in the bushes that would be the sacrifice in place of Isaac. Abraham passed the test, and God spared his son.
Questions
- What is your reaction to the heroism of Manuel Pinzon?
- The account of Abraham’s near sacrifice of Isaac can be difficult to understand. What is your hardest question about this reading?
- Read Hebrews 11:19. How does this affect your interpretation of Abraham’s actions?
