Genesis 22:1-19 / Matthew 9:1-8
One of the vows or promises that a priest or religious takes at ordination or at the solemn profession is the promise or vow of obedience.
And more than celibacy and poverty, the vow or promise of obedience is the foundation of the person's relationship with God.
So a person can meditate for hours and live a life of austerity and asceticism, but if he does not submit to the directions of his superiors, then all he does is in vain.
Similarly for Abraham in the 1st reading. More than a test of his faith in God, it was also a test of his freedom and decision to choose to obey God or not.
In his obedience to God, he also made this statement of faith - God will provide.
Indeed, God will provide whatever is necessary as long as we are willing to obey Him.
So whenever we find it difficult to obey and do God's will, let us remember that God will provide us the necessary graces to heal us and strengthen us to accept His will.
Abraham obeyed God and received His blessings. May we too be obedient to God and do His will and also receive God's blessings.