The first reading from Genesis and the Gospel from Matthew each describe an experience of human encounters with God. Abram (later Abraham) receives a divine calling, and Peter, James and John ...

(See Hebrews 11:17-19,). Now that’s faith! What do we learn about God in Abram’s call? 1) We see how God works from a plan. God began by calling Abram in order to create a people or nation.

Eventually, Abram appears to be convinced of one true God, whom he believes has called him to leave his father’s house and go to the land of Canaan — the name for what we now call Israel.