March 17, 2005

The Covenant Gn 17:3-9

When Abram prostrated himself, God spoke to him: "My covenant with you is this: you are to become the father of a host of nations. No longer shall you be called Abram; your name shall be Abraham, for I am making you the father of a host of nations. I will render you exceedingly fertile; I will make nations of you; kings shall stem from you. I will maintain my covenant with you and your descendants after you throughout the ages as an everlasting pact, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. I will give to you and to your descendants after you the land in which you are now staying, the whole land of Canaan, as a permanent possession; and I will be their God."

God also said to Abraham:"On your part, you and your descendants after youmust keep my covenant throughout the ages."

The covenant, God's promise, agreement with Abraham and the descendants of Abraham, is here in the reading. "I will be your God" God is never going to abandon us. The promise continues from generation to generation. The constancy of God's presence and love, the steadfastness of the covenant are all wellsprings of spiritual strength and sustenance. Abram was willing to leave his comfortable life behind and journey at God's call to a strange land. Our model in faith is Abram. He was ready to feed and offer comfort to the strangers who came to his tent. After being childless for many years, Abram's descendents were as numerous as the stars. God works marvels with us when we are willing to make the journey and follow the call. The impossible becomes possible with God. At my times of journey into areas that are unknown to me, I need to remember that God is always there and to call on God for the strength and wisdom and heart to chose the right way.