Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today’s readings invite us to reflect deeply on the profound love our Lord has for us and the mystery of His dual nature as both divine and human. In the Old Testament reading from Genesis, we witness God’s call to Abram, later named Abraham. This moment is not just a name change or a covenant; it is a profound expression of divine love. God promises Abraham that he will be the father of a multitude of nations, and through him, God establishes a lasting covenant. The relationship between God and Abraham is beautifully reciprocal: God pledges fidelity to Abraham and his descendants, and in return, Abraham is called to remain faithful to God.
This covenant is an eternal one, underscoring that our relationship with God is rooted in love and commitment. It’s essential for us to realize that God remembers His promises, as the psalmist reminds us: "The Lord remembers his covenant forever." This promise reverberates throughout the generations, culminating in the ultimate act of love when Jesus laid down his life in order that we might be given an opportunity to remain with him forever.
Now, turning to the Gospel of John, we encounter Jesus presenting the fullness of God’s love through His own dual nature. Jesus, who was fully divine, asserts, "Before Abraham came to be, I AM." He aligns Himself with the eternal God who established the covenant with Abraham, thus bridging the gap between the Old Testament promise and its New Testament fulfillment. Here we see the paradox of Jesus: fully God, and yet fully man. He embodies our hopes, dreams, and struggles, entering into our human experience and condition to show us the extent of His love.
When Jesus says, "Whoever keeps my word will never see death," He speaks not only to the Jewish audience of His time but to all of us. In His love, He invites us into a relationship where death is not the end but a passage into eternal life. This assurance reveals the heart of God’s covenant love—a love that transcends generations, that promises us eternal union with Him.
But our relationship with Him requires a response. We must be willing to keep His word, to choose Him daily, and to embody His love in our actions. Just as Abraham had a part to play in God’s covenant, so too must we be active participants in this relationship built on mutual trust and fidelity.
As we reflect on how God communicated with Abraham and then through Christ offers salvation to all, we allow ourselves to be embraced by God. The Gospel Acclamation urges us: “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” This is our call to openness, to be receptive to the Lord’s love and grace even in the face of doubt, skepticism, or fear.
In conclusion, let us celebrate the immense love God has for us—the love that called Abraham into a covenant and that was the primary impetus of Jesus’ incarnation among us. Embrace your identity as beloved children of God. Trust in the promises He makes, knowing that His love is steadfast and eternal. May our precious Mother Mary continue to pray for each and every one of us.
Amen.
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