Today’s section from Deuteronomy reads like a pep rally or a political rally speech. “We have it made!!” There is no god like our God who listens to our petitions! There is no nation like us with its ceremonies, just judgments and all the law!
These people had a right to be exuberant and proud. God made a covenant with them. They were his people, and he was their God! God would bless and protect his people, and they would honor and worship him alone, and they would act justly and be merciful to all their people, especially those who were on the periphery, the poor, widows, orphans, and sojourners in their midst.
BUT, time and time again, while God remained faithful, the people did not.
Over and over again, the prophets warned the people of worshipping the gods of their neighbors, but far too often, God’s people abandoned him for other gods. The prophets were also strong in their condemnation of the way the marginalized were treated. The needs of widows and fatherless children were a great concern of God. Time and time again, the covenant terms were violated, not by God, but by the people.
Isaiah spoke of a new covenant that God would establish, not written on stone but on the hearts of the people of the New Covenant. The new covenant was established as the kingdom of God through the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Each time we gather around the Eucharistic table, we are sent forth to be broken and poured out in loving service, as was Jesus. At each Eucharist, he tells us to “do this in memory of me.” This is paramount if we want to remain faithful to the New Covenant. “What you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, you do to me.”
Let Us Pray:
God of eternal life and love, thank you for our sacred covenant with you through your Son, Jesus. Keep us focused on you through our love, care, and assistance to all those who need love, connection, friendship, peace, home, and sustenance. Pope Francis recently wrote, “The gospel must grow little feet unless the Word of God is to remain in the clouds.” Cause our feet to make your Gospel real in our time and place. Amen.
