Leaving behind

The 12th chapter of the Book of Genesis begins with the call of Abram. The story of the Tower of Babel is dealt at the beginning of the previous chapter. The second half of the 11th chapter is about the genealogy of Hem and other family relationships. There is also a hint of a journey of leaving behind there. Abram's father Terah took Abram, his daughter-in-law Sarai, and his deceased son's offspring Lot and left Ur of the Chaldeans and set out for Canaan. They came and settled in Haran. It was there that Terah died. After his father's death - so we can say- to complete the journey his father had begun - God personally called Abram and gave him many promises. He had already left his father's land and was living in Haran at the time. Naturally, God commanded him to leave even the land where his father was buried.

Therefore, Abram is the second generation of this journey of leaving behind. God gives him great promises. God also says that through you all nations of the earth will be blessed.

In short, the abandonments had already begun even before Abram. A level of leaving behind of greater or lesser extent can be seen in all the divine calls. This level of leaving behind and abandonment is clearly seen in the calls of the prophets and, lastly, in the call of the disciples by Jesus.

It is by leaving behind and abandonment, that our world has come this far! We recognize that leaving behind/ abandonment /walking away - is an important spiritual exercise - especially during a season of Lent.