March 22, 2015 - Sunday

But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days—oracle of the LORD. I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
They will no longer teach their friends and relatives, “Know the LORD!” Everyone, from least to greatest, shall know me—oracle of the LORD—for I will forgive their iniquity and no longer remember their sin. (Jeremiah 31:33-34 NABRE)

In today's passage from the prophet Jeremiah, God describes a new covenant he will make with Israel and Judah. The New Testament presents the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth as inaugurating a new covenant open to anyone who professes faith in Jesus the Christ.* Christians see Jesus as the mediator of this New Covenant.*

And what encouraging terms are in this covenant! God himself says, I will forgive their iniquity and no longer remember their sin." Iniquity is immoral, evil, or unfair behavior* and sin* can be thought of as anything that limits our relationship with God. And when we participate in this new covenant, God himself offers us the great promise to forgive and forget!

And what is our role? We begin when we believe in the name of Jesus and respond to what God has written on our hearts, to love him with all our heart, soul and mind, and to love each other the way we love ourselves.

Lord God, thank you for this creation and the place in it which you established for me personally. I cannot fathom the extent of your creative power, but I appreciate in my own small way, the grandeur of what you have made. Made by your Word. Made from nothing.  Lord Jesus, Word of God, thank you for humbling yourself, connecting with us in human form, mediating the New Covenant, and for opening a door for us to your kingdom. My heart knows you, Lord, for you have placed your law within me. Share with me your Holy Spirit abundantly, so that I might serve as an ambassador for you during my life. A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit. (Psalm 51:12)


Today, I will listen for God's call when he calls me back to him.


Saint Joseph, Husband of Mary and patron of fathers, pray for us.

Saint Nicholas Owen, who found surprising ways to put his skills to work in God's service, pray for us.