Following the custom of the times, Abraham has to arrange for Isaac, his son, to marry. Therefore, he entrusts the task of finding a suitable wife for Isaac to his servant. The task is so vital that Abraham binds the servant to an oath.

1) The servant must not fail in his mission.

2) He should not allow Isaac to marry a Canaanite woman but find a wife among Abraham's people.

3) Isaac should not be allowed to return to Abraham's country.

The servant successfully accomplishes the task and brings back with him Rebekah, a woman chosen from Abraham's household. On seeing Isaac, Rebekah puts on her veil, a gesture meaning that Isaac should not see the face of his future bride. And when Isaac meets Rebekah, he rejoices and is united in love with her.

From the line of Abraham, Isaac and Rebekah, and their descendants, comes Jesus, the Saviour of the world. During the time of Jesus' ancestors and in His own time, all oaths, choices and relationships were decided in the light of family ties, nationality, one's profession or social standing.

Jesus transcends all man-made boundaries and divisions. His call of Matthew as a disciple exemplifies Jesus' act of binding peoples together into one family.

In the same way, as disciples of Jesus, we too are called to transcend racial, religious and social lines to create harmony and build a more caring and loving world around us.