A Covenant With the Lord

   “See, days are coming – oracle of the Lord – when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.” (Jeremiah 31:31)

   The covenant Jeremiah is foretelling is the final covenant, a covenant instituted by Jesus at the last supper.  God had made several covenants with His people, Israel.  They were all broken as they rejected Him and followed false gods.  One final covenant would be made.  A covenant between God and His people instituted by Jesus Christ at the last supper.

   The previous covenants were sealed in the blood of animals as a sign of the commitment between God and His people.  This final covenant would be sealed in the blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.  “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.” (Luke 22: 20).

   Each time we got to Mass, each time we receive Holy Eucharist we are participating in this great covenant with God.  We are again recognizing the sacrifice our Lord made for us by the shedding of His blood.  If we remain true to the covenant He will save us from our sins and bring us to Him when this life is over.

   As with all things in our spiritual life, we are called to choose.  Free will gives us the ability to reject God as the Israelites had, chasing after the false gods of the world.  By our free will we can also choose to accept God’s covenant, giving our life to Him and striving to live in His will.

Jesus You shed Your blood for me.

Accept me as Your brother.

Grant me the grace to honor our covenant.

Help me to live my life for You.

Amen