In other words, God made a covenant with us, and he will remember it forever.
And quite frankly, if we could see (as the Gospel Acclamation says) with the “eyes of our heart,” we would, no doubt, become more aware of God’s fidelity and love, his gifts and promises, his grace and his blessings — and we might become more capable of simply responding with the great Thank You! Every day!
That would be the best starting and ending point. Gratitude!
Truly grateful people do the right thing, most of the time. They are responding and operating out of a special place in the heart where things are important, even little things — where things are valued.
And they are capable of discovering that rules and commands do guide us, but the best and truest guide comes from purity of heart and love.
Imagine Jesus teaching that the rules and laws were not the most important thing; he would simply and straight out say that the greatest rule or law is actually the command to love.
And if we truly love, then everyday is sabbath — and every day is the gift of both giving and receiving love in and through and among us, everywhere, always, completely, and even covenantly!
That was proved fully and most profoundly in the words of forgiveness and love spoken and lived on the Cross.
And that, of course, is and always will be most understood and most thankfully received by those who hear and see with the ears and the eyes of the Heart!
And that is when we will “come to know what is the hope that belongs to our call.”
That’s the double promise, for sure!
Father Perry D. Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.
