As for you

Thursday, April 2, 2009 Lenten Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Genesis 17:3-9 Psalm 105:4-9 John 8:51-59

Genesis 17:9 And God said to Abraham, "As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations.

God made an "everlasting" covenant with Abraham. This is a type of promise that he will be a great nation. But, there seems to be a little bit of a string attached. God says to Abraham, "As for you". This means that Abraham has a responsibility to keep the covenant. There is nothing that Abraham can do to obligate God to give him what he promised. Abraham only has God's word on that, but it is the word of God. If we don't trust God then who do we trust?
All Abraham can do is keep the covenant. Jesus gives us a new covenant and we are instructed to keep that as well. If Abraham would not keep his end of the bargain God might just rescind his offer. Jesus says unless we eat his flesh and drink his blood there is no life in us. But if we drink his blood and eat his flesh he will raise us up on the last day.
Now, eating and drinking is more than just consuming food. More on that at another time. But for now what we need to be doing is keeping his covenant.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to not forget to keep your covenant. Help me to honor all that you ask me to do and to be faithful through the power of your Holy Spirit.

Amen