Scripture:
Genesis 17:3-9
John 8:51-59
Reflection:
"The Lord remembers his covenant forever."
I take comfort in the covenant I have with the Lord described in today’s readings. The comfort comes from knowing I am in a "relationship" with God which lasts forever and spans the months and miles which make up my life. In a real sense, this covenant love relationship has lasted all my life. In simple terms, God and I go "way back".
From the moment of my Baptism, God and I have been in a grace filled relationship, punctuated by the occasional experience of my sin but always underlined by God’s forgiving and loving presence. Maybe Question Number Twelve from my old Baltimore Catechism sums it up!
12. Does God see us?
Answer: God sees us and watches over us with loving care.
I have been through many changes in my life. The one wonderful constant is that God always has taken care of me. God is always with me and never forgets His covenant with me; just like Abraham and Jesus in today’s readings. Even when I experience suffering in myself and others, ministering as a member of the Passionist family, God’s unending love is always present.
Last week I had the high honor of working with survivors of the Henryville, Indiana F-4 tornado for the American Red Cross. I met suffering folks standing in rubble who had lost everything. They had every reason to wonder whether God "remembered them". Yet these same people, suffering and in great pain, spoke through their tears about their faith in and relationship with God! Time and again I heard "I’ve lost everything, but I know I’ll get through this because God is with me."
The power of the tornado could not stand against the power of their relationship with God. Indeed, God does see us and does watch over us with loving care.
Today, let us remember and smile when we recite the verse "The Lord remembers his covenant forever." Because He does…
Terry McDevitt, Ph.D. is a member of our Passionist Family who volunteers at the Passionist Assisted Living Community in Louisville, Kentucky.