Written by Sr. Rosemary Finnegan, O.P.
In our first reading from 1 John, we hear this sentence: “And this is the promise that he made us: eternal life.”
It made me think of other quotes I’ve heard using that word ‘promise’:
- You may have heard Fr. Walsh uses a familiar line from a famous song: “I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden.”
- Then there’s Robert Frost who wrote: “The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep.”
- And on a lighter note, Norman Vincent Peale said: “Promises are like crying babies in a theater, they should be carried out at once.”
None of us like promises made to us which are then broken, whether that broken promise is from a family member, our politicians, or advertisers who promise that our lives will be so much better once we buy their product. In good faith, we hope people will keep their word and their promise. Yes means yes, and no means no. But the reality is, promises are broken, and maybe we’re even guilty of breaking some ourselves.
But our reading today assures us that God is different; the promises God makes, God keeps. For example, in Psalm 89:34 we hear, “I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips.” Over and over in scripture are many more examples of God’s promises, but the greatest one we heard today: eternal life will be ours.
To reach this goal, God asks us to believe in Him and his Son, Jesus Christ, who himself says to us in the gospel of John: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.” (John 6:51)
So what can we do to keep God’s promise of eternal life ever before us, to keep our focus on that goal? (“Begin with the end in mind”…another of Fr. Walsh’s favorite quotes) Perhaps we can make some new year’s resolutions that can deepen our awareness of God’s promise and also spiritually challenge us:
- Search the scriptures and intentionally look for God’s mighty promises to us.
- Read the Sunday scriptures before coming to Mass and search for God’s promise to us that week.
- Pray for people in your life who are searching for God and who want to believe in the promises God makes. Talk to them about this.
The beginning of a new year is always a good time to remember God’s incredible love for us and God’s deepest desire, and promise, that we will someday be eternally happy with God forevermore.
