It seems that a lot of Catholics prefer to focus mainly on the gospel, when they reflect on the readings for mass each day. That seems to be the case with many of our priests’ homilies as well. However, the old testament reading from the book of Genesis, along with the psalm and the gospel reading today, are all related to one another. They flow together with some of the very same themes.
All of the readings for mass today are about Abraham. The first reading is all about Abraham, then King David writes about Abraham in Psalm 105, and then Jesus himself brings up Abraham four times in today’s gospel. The gospel readings each day can be understood more deeply by considering the old testament readings each day as well. A lot of thought and care was taken by the Catholic church when they put the readings together for mass. The readings were put together a certain way for a reason. Part of the reason is because the old testament is fulfilled in the new. This is very evident in today’s gospel.
In the first reading from the book of Genesis, God forms a covenant with Abraham and his descendents. God said that, “I will maintain my covenant with you and your descendants after you throughout the ages as an everlasting pact.” Then the reading ends with God saying, “On your part, you and your descendants after you must keep my covenant throughout the ages.”
Then King David writes about God’s covenant with Abraham in psalm 105: “He remembers his covenant which he made binding for a thousand generations.”
Jesus continues to reinforce God’s covenant of old, through his words at the beginning of today’s gospel, “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.” Then a little later in the same paragraph he said that he keeps his father’s word. “I do know him and I keep his word.”
Jesus brought up Abraham four times in today’s gospel. There is a continuity that flows from the book of Genesis up to our modern times, so the past is always relevant to us today. In Jesus’ case, the past meant everything. He said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM.” Jesus existed before Abraham came to be. This is the mystery of the Trinity. Don’t feel too bad if you do not fully grasp this concept because theologians have struggled with understanding the Trinity for thousands of years. Jesus existed before the world began, because he is God incarnate. This is what infuriated the Jews so much that they killed him. The name Jesus called himself today, “I AM” is the name God told Moses that His name was from the burning bush. The Jews picked up stones to throw at Jesus because he dared to call himself God, which was the sin of blasphemy according to their law.
There is a great deal more to think about in today’s scriptures for mass, but the common theme of the readings today is about an everlasting covenant with God. Yes, Jesus formed a new covenant with us that is recounted in the gospels, but it did not negate the old. God exists beyond time as we know it and so does Jesus Christ. But isn’t it awesome that their love for us is permanent and unchanging throughout the ages? There is such a deep seated sense of peace, and security, knowing that God and his son Jesus are eternal beings. We are also eternal beings. We can’t imagine that right now, but Jesus says it’s true. “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.”
We should rest securely, and in peace today, knowing that Jesus’ care for us, and his constant companionship throughout our lives and even after our death, will never change. Life is constantly changing, but Jesus never will. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Daily Mass Readings:
Genesis 17: 3-9 / Psalm 1-5: 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 / John 8: 51-59
