“Rules are to violate”; one get such impressions by watching some politicians or some Far right /left Followers. One may get such an impression in the Old Testament.
The Israelites are always connected to God through the covenant.
But shortly after they hurt him, they forget the covenant with God.
In the first reading they promise:
“We will do everything that the LORD has told us“.
As always, God recognizes their promise. He makes a covenant with the Israelites. As its sign, Moses blesses and cleanses the altar first - then the people with the blood of the sacrificial animal.
We know people include in various agreements in their life. All these agreements will not always be holy.
But the covenant between God and Israel was not something usual.
It is holy. Therefore, it should be clean.
But by the time, it becomes loose.
And after the temple was built, this bond became laxly.
Because for many God is no longer the PRESENCE among them, but some RULER who is in the temple of Jerusalem.
He finds the cause of sin and dissipation.
Jesus understands this distance of the hearts.
Because for many God is not close enough to their lives.
That was not the case in the beginning;
then the God lived among the people in the Ark of the Covenant - in the tent.
But he is now in ‘Jerusalem’ or in the ‘Heavens’ – so far away from people.
The Covenant Jesus makes is a new one.
It does not seek another sacrifice for the bond with God.
He himself becomes the victim. And it is a sign. The Sign of self-sacrifice.
It says, I'm ready, to offer my self – as sacrifice and I offer own will to.
Jesus used an everyday character:
Bread and wine - every man must eat and drink.
Jesus gives a new meaning to the Sacrifice / offering.
He does not mean everything that gladdens us, must be avoided. No:
It's more than that - a sign that I am connected with God daily and fully.
From the Life of Jesus, we understand that he was a relaxed and normal human being except sin. He ate, slept and talked to people worked:
But everything, he kept his commitment and relation to God.
He had not violated the bond to the people.
He also had a healthy relation to the nature.
This is a covenant. Always and in any situation in life be connected with God, man and nature.
Jesus established this new covenant is not in the synagogue or temple.
It happens when eating Pasha Meals.
Yes, he has not completely contradicted the religious atmosphere.
Moreover Jesus knew the following meals of his disciples will not be like before.
They will remember their Master, when they come together; when they are around the table.
Then they will remember his words.
Then, they remain united in his name. This will shaped their life.
Not only physically, but also spiritually.
This is Meal is a living covenant - an effective one.
From now on, God is / should be a living PRESENCE for humans.
On today's feast we celebrate the same.
We commemorate Jesus, not only present in the Church and the sacraments; we remember Jesus, who is also in our lives. He is the living covenant.
He, this covenant connects me with God and people. He makes me to live responsibly for the nature around me.
May this living Covenant of Jesus be stronger in us. Amen!
-
Fr Thomas Kalathil
No comments:
Post a Comment