Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s first reading, we conclude the great flood epic of Noah and his family. The Earth and all the people in it have just endured a destructive reset. God’s relationship with humanity and all of creation is starting over, beginning with a promise that God won’t do it again. Our relationship with the Lord is the most definitive element of who we are. What is God telling us in today’s reading about who we are?
God has saved us from destruction. Our creator has given us the whole Earth, all the animals and plants, for food. Human life carries the greatest value. Finally, God re-affirms that the Earth is good, by promising never to destroy it again. His covenant is not only with us, but with all living creatures and the Earth itself. We are a part of this covenant; we must not destroy the Earth. Instead, God calls us to be stewards of Creation, taking care of it and preserving it for all generations. We know who we are: part of the Earth, the highest of God’s creation, alive only by the grace of God.
Jesus knew the Noah story, so it’s surprising that in today’s Gospel, he wants to know who people say he is. The Jewish people of his time prided themselves knowing who they are- The Chosen People-Heirs to the Noahic covenant, the Abrahamic covenant, and the Mosaic covenant. Finding their place among the chosen was an important part of their identity. Jesus is teaching us that we have a new identity in Christ. We are chosen, but we also suffer, and we will rise again, as Jesus did.
Do you see yourself as destined to suffer with Christ? Do you see yourself as one destined to rise with Christ? This is what it means to be a Christian. We are a people that offers up our suffering with the sufferings of Christ, in hope of the Resurrection. Today, let’s remember who we are: sons and daughters of God, stewards of Creation, suffering servants. Amen.
- Chris Nieport