Holy is the Lord our God.--Psalm 99:(see 9)
Mass readings: 2 Corinthians 3:4-11 / Matthew 5:17-19
Our daughter Cecilia just turned three. Last night, after birthday cake, she sat on the living room floor and opened her presents. My wife handed them to her one by one, first the smaller ones, and then some larger, more exciting items. Cecilia's delight, and that of her watching siblings, grew more intense with each new and bigger gift.
Both Paul in the first reading and Jesus in the Gospel speak strong words affirming the experience of the Israelites and their encounter and their covenants with God. And, yet, both insist that the new covenant in Christ gloriously fulfills and surpasses these previous covenants. Like a parent giving gifts to His children, God has built gift upon gift, covenant upon covenant. And He's saved the best, most glorious one for last.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for the new and eternal covenant we have through Christ Jesus.