OUR PACT WITH GOD
“I will maintain my covenant between me and you and your descendants after you throughout the ages as an everlasting covenant, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.” ~ Genesis 17:7
God tells Abram in this passage that he will become "the father of many nations,” renaming him Abraham soon after. This covenant was not only made with Abraham, but by extension – with all his descendants throughout the generations to come. All they were asked to do was to let God be their God – that was the deal.
I am in the middle of a lifelong covenant myself. Just like with Abraham and his descendants, all God asks is that I place my trust in Him, that I keep Him close, that I go to Him first. It seems easy enough a request, but these days, I’ve never been more challenged to keep this very sacred pinky swear with God.
I feel uncharacteristically sad and hopeless about so many aspects of my life, that it’s hard to determine what feels most pressing to pray about. It all feels urgent, but then suddenly trivial the moment I’m invited to speak of it in prayer. There’s no need to trouble God with my dramatic shenanigans, I often think. There are so many other troubles in this world that need attention – I’m really not that important so I’ll just figure it out myself.
That’s me, constantly violating my promise with God not only because I’m feeling ashamed and unworthy of His help, but also because I feel overlooked and forsaken. Bitterness and resentment have formed and they’re trying to overshadow the loving relationship I have always known in my faith, just because life isn’t as pleasant as it once was. But it is in times like these when we are often called to turn to God most, even if it’s the most difficult time to do so.
Today’s first reading reminds us that the promises we make with God in our own lives are not just about receiving blessings, but about entering into a committed relationship with Him. Just as Abraham’s name and future were changed through his covenant with God, our lives are also transformed when we respond in faith and obedience to God’s call. It’s a reminder that God's promises often come with responsibility – we have a part to play in our own prayers. Just as God entrusted us with free will, we must also trust that God will carry us through our most challenging times.
Is there a covenant that you have with God? Is there anything preventing you from keeping that covenant?
Anna Gonda