Father of mercy, hear the prayers of your repentant children who call on you in love.
Enlighten our minds and sanctify our hearts.
John 8 51-59
51 Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.”
52 At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”
54 Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. 55 Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I wou
l'd be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.”
57 “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”
58 “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” 59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
How many covenants do we enter? Agreements more encompassing than a contract with its specificity about who will do what, when and how. In my life I think of four, the covenants with my husband and three children.
The initial specifics were simple: “To have and to hold… until death do you part.” Were we able to foresee what that might mean in the living out of it? Or course not. Have we been blessed with grace and support when the unimaginable occurred? Yes, indeed.
And so it is with God and us: Through our Christian Baptism, we have been welcomed into this covenant. Lent offers the invitation to take time to reflect on how God and I have done with the promises given.
God of mercy, help us today to grow in your likeness,
- that we who sinned in Adam may rise again in Christ.
Let your word be a lamp to guide us,
- that we may live the truth and grow always in your love.
Teach us to be faithful in seeking the common good for your sake,
- that your light may shine on the whole human family by means of your Church.
Touch our hearts to seek your friendship more and more,
- and to make amends for our sins against your wisdom and goodness.
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