The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to ponder the eternal Presence of God that we can connect with in the present moment.
The reading from the Book of Genesis presents the Covenant with Israel
* [17:1–27] The Priestly source gathers the major motifs of the story so far and sets them firmly within a covenant context; the word “covenant” occurs thirteen times. There are links to the covenant with Noah (v. 1 = 6:9; v. 7 = 9:9; v. 11 = 9:12–17). In this chapter, vv. 1–8 promise progeny and land; vv. 9–14 are instructions about circumcision; vv. 15–21 repeat the promise of a son to Sarah and distinguish this promise from that to Hagar; vv. 22–27 describe Abraham’s carrying out the commands. The Almighty: traditional rendering of Hebrew El Shaddai, which is P’s favorite designation of God in the period of the ancestors. Its etymology is uncertain, but its root meaning is probably “God, the One of the Mountains.” (Genesis, CHAPTER 17, n.d.)
Psalm 105 praises God’s Faithfulness to Israel.
* [Psalm 105] A hymn to God who promised the land of Canaan to the holy people, cf. Ps 78; 106; 136. Israel is invited to praise and seek the presence of God (Ps 105:1–6), who is faithful to the promise of land to the ancestors (Ps 105:7–11). In every phase of the national story—the ancestors in the land of Canaan (Ps 105:12–15), Joseph in Egypt (Ps 105:16–22), Israel in Egypt (Ps 105:23–38), Israel in the desert on the way to Canaan (Ps 105:39–45)—God remained faithful, reiterating the promise of the land to successive servants. (Psalms, PSALM 105, n.d.)
In the Gospel of John, the Pharisees debate Jesus and Abraham.
* [8:53] Are you greater than our father Abraham?: cf. Jn 4:12.
* [8:56] He saw it: this seems a reference to the birth of Isaac (Gn 17:7; 21:6), the beginning of the fulfillment of promises about Abraham’s seed.
* [8:57] The evidence of the third-century Bodmer Papyrus P75 and the first hand of Codex Sinaiticus indicates that the text originally read: “How can Abraham have seen you?”
* [8:58] Came to be, I AM: the Greek word used for “came to be” is the one used of all creation in the prologue, while the word used for “am” is the one reserved for the Logos. (John, CHAPTER 8, n.d.)
Maureen McCann Waldron comments that the challenge is not to analyze and over-think as the religious leaders did. We might be tempted to ask, “How can you possibly offer us this gift?” but Jesus invites us to simply trust in it and embrace this gift fully. Like the Pharisees, we can debate with our ever-loving God, the giver of our lives, but that challenge to God comes from our own pride and need for independence – or maybe just plain stubbornness.
Loving Jesus, help me to stop struggling for understanding of what you offer. May I relax into the love and freedom you offer me. Let me carry that love to those around me and let me especially become more aware of those in my world who are suffering. Guide me to make these last days of Lent ones that will open my heart to you even more. (McCann, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “Christ died that you might live,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"For you Christ allowed Himself to be crucified, to teach you humility. He was alive, and you were dead. He died that you might live. God vanquished death so that death might not overcome human beings." (excerpt from Sermon on John 2,4;14,13) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 8:51-59 asks how can an understanding of this priceless gift of everlasting life affect the way we look at death?
It can drive away fear..
It can put loneliness to flight.
It can provide clear direction,
How richly our generous God blessed us on the day of our baptism! He has his own everlasting life with us! Stay close to him, treasure his love and his word, and let them give you hope beyond the grave.
“Jesus, thank you for uniting me with you on the day of my baptism. I look forward to living with you forever.” (Meditation on John 8:51-59, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the second form of the Covenant with Abram that references the land of Israel. The glory of God is shown in the love expressed by Jesus on the Cross. Friar Jude reminds us of the preexistence of Jesus as He proclaims I AM.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Writer Anne Lamott who chronicles her surprising conversion to Christianity while addicted to drugs and alcohol. Lamott reflects on praying from the place of desperation and surrender:
My belief is that when you’re telling the truth, you’re close to God. If you say to God, “I am exhausted and depressed beyond words, and I don’t like You at all right now, and I recoil from most people who believe in You,” that might be the most honest thing you’ve ever said. If you told me you had said to God, “It is all hopeless, and I don’t have a clue if You exist, but I could use a hand,” it would almost bring tears to my eyes, tears of pride in you, for the courage it takes to get real—really real. It would make me want to sit next to you at the dinner table.
So prayer is our sometimes real selves trying to communicate with the Real, with Truth, with the Light. [2] (Rohr, 2023)
We are reminded by the Spirit that I AM is present in the present moment to reaffirm trust, hope, and love as our practice for Life.
References
Genesis, CHAPTER 17. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 30, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/17?3
John, CHAPTER 8. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 30, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/8?
McCann, M. (2023, March 30). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved March 30, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/033023.html
Meditation on John 8:51-59. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved March 30, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/03/30/641376/
Psalms, PSALM 105. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved March 30, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/105?4
Rohr, R. (2023, March 30). Here in Dust and Dirt — Center for Action and Contemplation. Cac.org. Retrieved March 30, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/here-in-dust-and-dirt-2023-03-30/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Before Abraham Was, I Am. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 30, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=mar30
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