Friday of week 13 in Ordinary Time
Saint Elizabeth of Portugal
First reading: Genesis 23:1-4,19,24:1-8,62-67
The life of faith, as exemplified by Abraham, is not a life without uncertainty, but one marked by deep trust in the unseen hand of God. In today’s reading, Abraham, nearing the end of his life, entrusts the future of his family to God’s providence, confidently telling his servant, “He will now send his angel ahead of you.” These words are a powerful reminder that when we walk in faith, we are never alone; God goes before us, preparing the way, even when we cannot see the path clearly. This quiet assurance is not based on signs or guarantees, but on a relationship rooted in trust, a trust that believes God’s presence precedes our every step. Saint Elizabeth of Portugal, whose feast we celebrate today, also lived this faith through a life of peace-making, humility, and trust in divine guidance amidst political and personal storms. Her witness, like Abraham’s, encourages us to let go of anxiety and entrust the unknown to the God who already stands ahead of us. When we walk with this faith, the answer to all our questions becomes clear, not in knowing every detail, but in knowing Who goes before us. Let’s reflect: Do I truly trust that God is going ahead of me, even when the path is uncertain and the answers are not yet clear?
Don Giorgio