July 4th, 2025, Friday of the 13th week in ordinary time. A reading from the book of Genesis.

The span of Sarah's life was 127 years. She died in Curia Tharba, that is, Hebron, in the land of Canaan,

and Abraham performed the customary mourning rights for her.

Then he left the side of his dead one and addressed the Hittites.

Although I am a resident alien among you, sell me from your holdings a piece of property for a burial ground,

that I may bury my dead wife.

After the transaction, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave of the field of Machpelah,

facing Mamre, that is Hebron, in the land of Canaan.

Abraham had now reached a ripe old age, and the Lord had blessed him in every way.

Abraham said to the senior servant of his household, who had charge of all his possessions,

Put your hand under my thigh, and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth,

that you will not procure a wife for my son among the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I live, but that you will go

into my own land and to my kindred to get a wife for my son, Isaac. The servant asked him,

What if the woman is unwilling to follow me to this land?

Should I then take your son back to the land from which you migrated?

Never take my son back there for any reason, Abraham told him.

The Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and the land of my kin,

and who confirmed by oath the promise he then made to me,

I will give this land to your descendants.

He will send his messenger before you, and you will obtain a wife for my son there.

If the woman is unwilling to follow you, you will be

released from this oath, but never take my son back there. A long time later, Isaac went to

...