THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Thursday of Week Five of Lent

Gen 17:3-9

Ps 105

John 8:51-59

My covenant...

Dear friends in Christ, it is only God who sees the beginning and end of all, the only king who lives forever—the same yesterday, today, and forever. In his mercy, he gives life to his creatures and sustains them.

Today’s first reading reveals a covenant God made with Abram. It was a covenant that changed his life and his name. The new name represents his status as a Father of a multitude of nations, at a time when he was yet to have any child. God said to him, "Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations." God promised to make him fruitful, to give him the land of Canaan for his possession, and to remain with him and his descendants as their God. Whatever Abraham did to merit all of these blessings, was pleasing to God. Abraham's obedience and trusting faith in the word of God is something we need to emulate. The psalmist tells us that God remembers his covenant forever. God did not demand anything else from Abraham except that, "As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations." It follows then, that the promise made to Abraham holds good even for us today. If we like Abraham can keep the covenant, if we obey the commands of God, if we put our faith in Him, the blessings of Abraham shall be ours too.

Today’s Gospel is a reminder to those of the time of Jesus, on what they must do to benefit from the blessings of Abraham and to sustain his legacy of faith. “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” The listeners however did not believe him, instead, they accused him of having a demon, but Jesus insists on everlasting life for those who believe in him. It must have been a very difficult thing for them to believe since they've never seen anyone who cheated death to live forever. Is it still difficult for you to believe? Jesus has proven that he is capable of giving us life beyond this mortal existence, through his rising from the dead. He told them, “Your father Abraham rejoiced that he was to see my day; he saw it and was glad.” Abraham’s relationship with God meant that a lot of things were revealed to him even before they came to be. Jesus who has been with the Father from eternity is the only one who is capable of giving us that life that has no end. He said to them, “Before Abraham was, I am.” What a wonderful friend we have in Jesus, what a rare opportunity to live with God forever? Believe and repent of your sins and he will give you life.

Let us pray: Lord, give us the grace to emulate Abraham our father in faith and so merit the blessings you promised. Amen

+Remain blessed