The Lord made a Covenant with Abram: the Lord committed Himself. Most people will agree that many problems of modern society stem from the refusal to commit oneself, whether from fear, from overpowering weakness, or from cynicism engendered by exposure to debilitating examples of commitments turned sour. So the increase in the number of broken marriage engenders a rejection of marital commitment, resulting in cohabitation outside of marriage or an increasing number of divorces. The terrible sexual scandals that have rocked the Church these last few years, will certainly have caused doubts about religious and priestly commitment in many people who would not normally be inclined to doubt the reality and deep meaning of this commitment.

As we celebrate the Eucharist, sacrament of God's new and eternal covenant, it is good to reflect how commitment lies at the heart of our religion. Commitment takes its proper Catholic meaning from the belief that, in creating us, God made an eternal covenant with us and perfected it in the new and eternal covenant made in the blood of Jesus, his Son. Let us during Lent reflect on the meaning of covenantal commitment in preparation for our celebration of the Easter Covenant.