Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.

[Adapted from Worship Resources Year B: Advent 2014 to Advent 2015, Herald Publishing House, 2014, p. 94]

The Bible describes God’s relationship with humankind as a covenant initiated by God. A covenant was more than promise, resolve, or commitment. In ancient times, it was a binding vow of great seriousness, beyond law, often between unequal partners. The more powerful member promised protection, safety, and blessing. The weaker member promised loyalty, faithfulness, and obedience.

In Genesis we read the story of Abraham and God’s promise to give the land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants, and “I will be their God.” From this time forward, the covenant between God and humanity has echoed the simplicity of the Abrahamic covenant: “I will be your God, and you will be my people.”

God-in-Christ lives in us, an echo of God’s promise to be our God and dwell among us, if we will be God’s people. When we partake in Communion, for example, we are reminded of God’s covenant with us through Jesus. We are made new in our covenantal relationship God. Our sins are forgiven, and our spiritual lives are made whole once again.

When we understand and accept God’s love for us, we respond by loving others. We extend the idea of covenant into our relationships. We respond in service to those around us. Jesus Christ understood his mission as an unbreakable covenant to proclaim, model, teach, and live out: good news to the poor…release to the captives…sight to the blind…to let the oppressed go free: (Luke 4:18–20). That mission is our mission, a call to commit our lives to serving others in love and joy, as part of our covenant with God.

Prayer Phrase

“Happy are those who observe justice” (Psalm 106:3).

Healing and Reconciliation

Gather a small mound of stones. Meditate on the stones as symbols of differences and destructive acts that continue to separate and wound the human family. Name and anoint each “stone wound” with a drop of water or scented oil. Offer them to God in a prayer for healing and reconciliation.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.