On this Friday of the 19th week of Ordinary Time, we hear from the Old Testament of Joshua in our first reading. Joshua gives advice to the tribes of Israel who are gathered around him. These are Joshua’s last words and testament to the people.
Joshua gives the people a brief history of all that God has done for them from the earliest times, going back to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. He reminds that of the land that were given to them, of the rich agricultural lands and towns, all of which were gives from God. He is reminded them that this came from God, not from their own doing.
It is important for us to remember where we came from. My first name Lincoln has been a name in my dad’s family from the time of the Civil War. I am in fact the fifth Lincoln in my family. When I go to Chicago next week to switch trains on my way to the mission appeal in New England, I am going to try to visit the cemetery where one of my ancestors is buried, from whom my first name and middle name come from. About a year ago was where I first discover where he was buried. I also want to visit the place where he ran a store in the downtown area of Wheaton, Illinois, just outside of Chicago.
Just like it is good to know where we come from in terms of family and ancestry, it is good to know where we come from in the history of faith. We read stories in the Bible from both the Old and New Testaments because those stories contain our spiritual roots and tell us where we came from. Let us give thanks today for those who passed down the faith to us, for our spiritual ancestors in the faith.
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