Thursday of the fifth week of Lent, 2023

The readings today lead us to think about relationships.

A covenant is a relationship classically defined as an agreement, sometimes in the form of a contract. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines covenant as a “solemn agreement between human beings or between God and a human being involving mutual commitments or guarantees,” such as we see in the first reading. God is making a commitment to Abraham and asking for his commitment in return.

Our nation’s conference of bishops also defines Catholic Social Teaching as a covenant: “…it is a central and essential element of our faith. Its roots are in the Hebrew prophets who announced God’s special love for the poor and called God’s people to a covenant of love and justice.”

When we help someone in need, either through our work at Catholic Charities or in our day-to-day lives, we are extending God’s covenant with us, and inviting them into this relationship. It’s not something private between us and God to be tucked away. No matter how small, we should strive to view any encounter with the least among us as fulfilling our covenant with God.

We are called to share God’s love with others in our daily encounters.

How are you using your day-to-day encounters to build up and invite others into a covenantal relationship with God?

Diane Zbasnik is the Parish Administrator for St. Austin Catholic Church and School in Austin, Texas. She is formerly a Diocesan Social Action Director for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland.