The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, April 6, 2006
Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Genesis 17:3-9
Psalm 105:4-9
John 8:51-59

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

We live in an era when doubt is cast on statements like "Lifetime Warrantee" when we buy a product. Right away we might question which part of the object is really protected or what is the expected lifetime of the product. We also realize that personal promises are so easily broken as we see in the soaring divorce statistics. As humans we sometimes take our promises lightly.

In contrast, we have the assurances of God to Abraham in the first reading for today. God promises Abraham an everlasting pact. That is sure, in contrast to our "Lifetime Warrantee" statements. Nothing is free, however. God asked of Abraham and the Jewish people, only that they keep His word, that they keep their part of the covenant, as that is what a love bond is about.

The same is asked of us today! Each of us has an everlasting covenant with God through our baptism! What a gift! We are promised eternity if only we keep our end of the covenant. God never turns away from us! It is left to us whether we accept that offer. What a choice!

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)

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