Abraham’s Sacrifice and Hospitality

 

            Abraham’s Sacrifice and Hospitality Panel

           Rev Cathie Capp and Chaplain Maria Khani discussed Abraham’s Sacrifice and Hospitality from Christian and Islam perspective. Chaplain Marie Khani started by saying “Abraham is the one who built the Kaaba- the house of worship- and he’s the symbol of unity. Abraham had a dream and dream was  more than one time. In the dream he was told that he needed to sacrifice his own son. Abraham then asked his son what he thinks of God showing Abraham in his dream, Abraham’s son said if God asked you to do so then- Obey the commend.- They both submitted to the will of God. Islam in its literal meaning is  to submit, both agreed to go through that journey and submit themselves to God’s way.”

          Khani added that it’s the ultimate feeling of belief which is God first and at that moment both of them had been awarded  a ram or a goat and Abraham sacrificed the given ram to the way of God. So every year Muslim world come from all the world, from different places to perform the pilgrimage.
          Khani finished by saying “Every year  we had a chance to remember this  and the opportunity of having a  beautiful meeting or convention where different languages and cultures that come together because that’s the spirit of Abraham and Kaabah  where it is built after the incident of the sacrifice. Therefore God built his house and he made a prayer of being in it as one nation as we always say here in this  country- One nation under God-  Do we have that feeling when we say the words we are one nation under God like Father Abraham?”

          Reverend Cathie Capp mentions the story of Abraham in Bible right from the very beginning where the very first thing he does is to make a sacrifice of his pride. Reverend Capp goes on to say that “To understand the rest of the sacrifices throughout the story and setting up the foundation for us, Abraham a man of faith who is willing to sacrifice his comfort and insecurity.” Reverend Capp also wanted the participants to visualize the journey of Abraham and Isaac, visualization of journeying for three days, especially when your child is wise enough to say  “I think we’re missing a sacrifical animal”

          Then Abraham’s trust in God and the belief that- God will provide- and that he has shown his faith this whole time, he has sacrificed all, on the way and if you can get through that kind of trauma and know that God comes through these for you. Reverend Capp finished by saying  “When we put our ego and or selfishness aside when we sacrifice that, God will be with us in those moments and I think that none of that could’ve happened without Abraham’s trust in God.”