Together forever

The psalm in the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today reminds us that God remembers His covenant forever. The psalmist presents salvation history from Abraham through Moses and celebrates the closeness of God to His people. Father Boylan comments on the defeat of the fear of death by the death of Jesus as one of the themes from the passage from the Letter to the Hebrews. The will of the Father that Jesus is human in all respects but sin, is addressed by Friar Jude Winkler in his commentary on Hebrews. The Jewish Greek audience for Hebrews will understand that the One priesthood of Jesus is superior to the many high priests referred to by the author. The Covenant relationship of God with His people deepens in Hebrews as Incarnate God dies as the Lamb Who defeats death and sin. The Gospel of Mark continues the message of the nearness of the Kingdom of God as Jesus brings the Jewish Mother-in-Law (subject of the Law of Moses?) of Peter out of a fever which had taken her from her usual life mission. Friar Jude points out how she is an example to all spiritually healed by God as she turns her restoration to health to an opportunity to serve. The gift of Life that Jesus is bringing these towns in the Gospel of Mark is in accord with the will of God, remembering His Covenant, forever as Jesus reaffirms in His prayer communion with the Father. Friar Jude poses the question of how we are shaped toward the will of God by the afflictions of our life. We are called to serve through good times and bad as our part of Covenant.