On Your Part, you must keep my covenant throughout the ages

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 5th Week : Thursday*

*Gospel : Jn 8:51-59*

*First Reading : Gn 17:3-9*

*On Your Part, you must keep my covenant throughout the ages*

*1) The Covenant*

Covenant is an agreement, between two persons or between two parties

This agreement gives rise to a new relationship, new way of life, new responsibility, new duties and new outlook 

Covenant always helps the persons grow with one another and it fosters the growth of the  community 

*2) God entered a new covenant with Human beings*

God chose Abraham and entered with him a new covenant

This covenant is not only for Abraham, but to the entire humanity, which will help the human beings to get into a deeper relationship with God 

The Covenant which God made, with Abraham, makes us the Children of God and we can relate with God as our Father 

*3) God never breaks His covenant*

God who entered a new covenant with Abraham, remains faithful for ever and ever and He never breaks His covenant

In this context God asks Abraham to remain faithful to the covenant. 

God also said to Abraham: *“On your part, you and your descendants after you must keep my covenant throughout the ages.”*

*4) Lent is a time to reflect about our faithfulness to the Covenant*

Lent is a time to reflect about our faithfulness to God's Covenant

How faithful I am in keeping the covenant of the Lord? 

Usually breaking of the covenant happens from our side and not from God's side. If so what is my role in remaining faithful to the covenant? 

*5)  Need of renewing our faithfulness to the Covenant*

Since we are weak many times we find it difficult to remain faithful to the covenant

So that is why we need to renew our commitment to the covenant of the Lord, on every day basis 

Only then we will be able to remain faithful to the covenant of the Lord 

*6) Benefits of remaining faithful to the covenant of the Lord*

Like Abraham He will make us great 

Like Abraham He will give us all that is necessary

Like Abraham He will make our name great, which will remain forever 

Like Abraham He will bless our descendants for ever and ever 

Like Abraham He will make us a great blessing to our family and to the people around us 

So, God expects only our faithfulness to His covenant

*Are you ready?*

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*