Chutzpah to place Confidence in God

The texts today from the Roman CatholicLectionary offer some insight into the working relationship between God and people which works to make God Present in the world. The question of whether God needs humanity for His work is one with which theologians can wrestle. The psalmist blesses the mercy, faithfulness and steadfast love of God. From this understanding, we can approach the decision of God to include Abraham in the plans for the destruction of Sodom as described in the passage from the Book of Genesis. The characteristic of the friendship between God and Abraham is tied to the Covenant made by God with Abraham to be the father of the multitude who would bring knowledge of God to the world. The Covenant is honoured by Abraham in daily prayer through which the plan of God is made clearer. Rabbi Ed Feinstein identifies this bargaining of Abraham with God in prayer as the birth of Chutzpah. FriarJude Winkler comments that the authenticity in this prayer is witness to the belief of the Jewish community that God is a part of their daily lives. Our Tradition sets aside time for prayer in the morning, during the day and in the evening. As we seek to walk with Jesus as disciples, we need to engage with God in the type of dialogue which helps us give ourselves to His work of service. The Gospel from Matthew emphasizes that the mission of the disciple is to follow Jesus in carrying out the Will of the Father. This Will is not revealed to us as a “take it or leave it” blueprint but rather as the log of a journey in which we are required to keep in touch through prayer which addresses our need for a home and be open to decide “yes” in trust without putting our decision in the future as proposed by the man responding to Jesus who sought to complete the year long burial rites for his father.