Christianity, however, has witnesses. Not just those of us who serve as witnesses today and not just those who took part in a given event, but witnesses whose testimony was recorded so that others could believe. Moses didn't have that; he went up the mountain and received the commandments alone. The same is true for the central figures of other religions as well. Jesus, knowing that proof in ancient times required three witnesses, brings three such men for His transfiguration, where He is revealed in His divine form and then joined by Moses and Elijah. Peter, James, and John were asked to this event so that they would be the proof that it had happened.
I find it ironic that my atheistic friends occasionally ask me for proof that what I believe is true, but then discount the evidence that I provide without providing any evidence of their own. Honestly, atheism requires more faith than any other religion considering its substantial lack of proof.
A quick word on the first reading: I can't help but wonder if Abraham (who was in his eighties or older) when hearing God ask him to sacrifice his most precious son didn't mishear the conversation. I can picture it. Abraham says that he loves God more than anything, and God knowing that He would give up Jesus to death in order to save us all replies with, "What if I told you to give up your only son?" Except Abraham doesn't hear the "What if ..."
I wonder this for a few reasons. The reading refers to Isaac as Abraham's only son, but he wasn't; Abraham still had Ishmael (even if he had sent him away). Later, it's not God who stops Abraham's hand but one of God's angels who comes down and directly intervenes. I can't help but picture God sending the angel down saying, "He keeps misunderstanding me; I need you to stop him before he does something really stupid."
I do like the first reading as it is this story which stops any idea of human sacrifice in the Jewish (and later Christian) religion despite the popularity of such practices at the time.
And one last note: while the mass intention today was for a different family, the mass intention for last night's mass was for Helene Marks and her family. Helene Marks, my grandmother, passed into the next life almost a decade ago. I didn't know that the mass intention was going to be for her, but yesterday evening I felt a powerful sense of peace and happiness. Learning that there had been a mass dedicated to my grandmother and to us (which I would not have discovered had I not been the cantor at mass) explains that surprising welling of emotion that I experienced.