Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent
"Before Abraham came to be, I AM." - John 8:58
The divine name. The name from the burning bush. Spoken by Jesus as his own. The crowd picks up stones.
"Before Abraham came to be, I AM." - John 8:58
The divine name. The name from the burning bush. Spoken by Jesus as his own. The crowd picks up stones.
God makes a covenant with Abraham: you will be the father of a host of nations. An everlasting pact. I will be your God. This covenant has been binding for thousands of years. It never expired.
In the Gospel, Jesus stands in the temple and says: before Abraham came to be, I AM. He claims to predate the covenant itself. He is not a product of the covenant - he is its source. The I AM made the promise to Abraham. And now the I AM stands in Abraham's descendants' temple, speaking the name that started it all.
The crowd picks up stones because they understand exactly what he's claiming. This man is saying he is God.
For you, preparing for Baptism, this matters because of what you're about to do. At the Easter Vigil, you will be asked: do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord? You will say: I do.
You are not saying you believe in a good teacher. You are saying you believe in the I AM - the God who existed before Abraham, who entered time to save it, who will stand at the end of all things. This is not a soft commitment. This is the claim that makes stones fly.
In ten days, you will enter the everlasting covenant. The one that started with Abraham and runs through Baptism. You will be named and claimed by the I AM.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Thursday: Soul of Christ (Anima Christi)
Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within your wounds, hide me. Permit me not to be separated from you. From the wicked foe, defend me. At the hour of my death, call me and bid me come to you, that with your saints I may praise you forever and ever. Amen.
Ten days. The I AM is waiting for you at the font. The covenant that started with Abraham is about to include your name.