Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent

GN 17:3-9/JN 8:51-59

On Ash Wednesday, we Christians are reminded we are dust, and that we shall return to our nature of dust. In today’s Genesis reading, Abram prostrated himself, humbly, and God spoke to him; “My covenant with you is this, for a thousand generations I will bind myself to you and your descendants.” This everlasting pact that God provided to his people, “to be your God”, is all the history we need to know God and his love for us, his people. Today’s Old Testament reading reminds us that the Lord remembers his covenant forever and asks us to keep the covenant throughout the ages.  

Jesus said to the Jews: “Amen, amen, I say to you whoever keeps my word will never see death.” This New Testament promise is a necessary update for God’s people and us today. Are we sure that if we keep in our hearts and express with our lips this covenant that we will not die, never to taste death? Beyond a promise is a covenant, a formal understanding that we can call and embrace today. “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” Our human tendencies are to ignore, distract, turn away from our God. Thus, the Lenten season is the perfect time to practice our progressive conversion, always orienting ourselves to our loving God. He is the Father who rushes to greet us, even in our frail human lives, holding us dearly in his arms of mercy. Let us celebrate and keep close to our loving God and never see death, but the promise of everlasting life. Finally, love is God’s will in action. Lord, help us today to act with your love in our hearts and act towards all the people you place in our daily lives.  

 

Sam Ashkar
Alumni, UST Class of 1978