We are family.
God adopts us as family through a covenantal promise, and covenant is the theme of the daily readings for this first Sunday in Lent
God sets the stage, speaking to Noah after the flood in Genesis 9,
“"Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth."
David, the writer of the psalms, picks up on our response in the prayer of Psalm 25, saying, ‘Your ways oh Lord are love and truth to whose who keep your covenant.” He prays to God for guidance in holding up our end of the bargain, “Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.”
God, in His grace, always initiates the relationship with us, as He did with the covenant with Noah. God is the hound of heaven, ever at our heels, but He doesn’t force Himself upon us. Love must be freely given and freely received, or else it is coercion. We are free to accept or reject his invitation.
Father of grace and mercy – you shine your light into our hearts with the covenantal promise of adoption into your family. Help us to know and accept your ways; teach us your paths. May we cherish that we are family. Amen.