March 22, 2018 Thursday of the 5th Week in Lent-B

Genesis 17:3-9

Psalm 105

John 8:51-59

“I will maintain my covenant with you and your descendants after you throughout the ages… Gen. 17:7

“…whoever keeps my word will never see death.”  John 8:51

Lord, good personal relationships are a two-way street.  One-sided relationships rarely can be maintained and lasting.  Our Father made a grand, sweeping, promise to Abraham that He wanted an eternal and faithful relationship with all mankind.  He would be our God and we would be His people.  That promise was made to me also.  Imagine, the Creator of the universe wants a mutual and personal relationship with me!  You laid out how I can maintain my part of this bargain: by keeping your word.   Lord, grow my faith to be like that of Abraham.  He only saw the beginning of your promise coming true.  But he knew you would stay faithful to your part of the deal.  Today, dear Jesus, I am living in that relationship every time I lift my mind and heart to you in prayer.  Every time I receive your word and your body and blood in the Mass.  Every time I keep your commands to love God and neighbor.  I trust in your promises and, with your grace and Spirit to guide me, will hold up my part to stay faithful to you.  Amen.