Daily Scriptures Reflection for Saturday, 7/27/13

Scripture: Lectionary 400. Exodus 24:3-8. Psalm 50:1-2,5-6,14-15. Matthew 13:24-30:

“We will do everything the Lord has told us.” These powerful words of the Israelites seal the covenant that God gave to the Chosen People on Mount Sinai. The Scripture passage for today demonstrates how important our response to God is each day of our life. The friendship we have with God is a personal one. We see God as Creator, Parent, and Redeemer. Our human response is the same as the Israelites and the same as the mother of Jesus who said, “Let it be done to me according to your word.”

Our response to God is equally important and we have that opportunity each day as we awaken. We may begin the day by simply thanking the Lord or saying “Blessed be the Name of the Lord.” The Benedictines have handed down their way of greeting the Lord in the morning by saying “Benedicamus Domino” (Let us bless the Lord).

From the first reading we see the importance of words combined with symbolic actions. The people offer a sacrificial gift to God to testify to their consent to the covenant. The Twelve Tribes are represented by the twelve stones that we have heard about previously. Theirs is a communitarian response and ours should be the same in a Church, Synagogue, or Mosque. We read about the Israelite sacrifice in the sentence that says, “This is the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made in accordance with all these words of his.” In fact, we have seen that their response is made three times in the book of Exodus. It will be found also in the Book of Joshua.

God is never outdone in generosity. God will now lead the Israelites to the Holy Land promised them through Abraham and the ancestors after him. They are a people dear to the Lord, chosen by the Lord, and given the Land and the Torah.

We learn from this narrative how important our promises, our vows in marriage are and our commitments made to our friends. All depend on the response in words that come from the heart and will. God will always be there to help us live out our vows. God’s providential care is there for us in our daily needs. Our yes to God is a daily act of love and thanksgiving for all we have received. Amen.