Responding to God’s Love

“What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me?” Ps. 116: 12 Have you ever asked yourself this question? Perhaps before attempting to answer the question, one must take time to reflect on the Lord’s bounty.

In Exodus, Moses speaks on God’s behalf and promises Israel that God will always be with them, journeying with them, loving them, protecting them. This promise is for eternity as it is a covenant between God and Israel, sealed with the blood of the sacrifice sprinkled on the altar and on the people. God makes another covenant with humanity when Jesus, at the last supper, offers the disciples the cup of his blood, the blood of the new covenant. In some ways, it might have been easier for Israel to reflect on God’s bounty than it is for us. After all, God freed them from slavery in Egypt, fed and watered them in the desert, protected them from the anger of Pharoah and his army and from all the ‘enemies’ they encountered on the journey from Egypt to the land promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Reflecting on God’s bounty, I am able to recognize the many ways in which God has blessed, and continues to bless me. First of all, God has given me the gift of life. He gave me that life in the context of a family and a community that nurtured me and helped me grow into the person that I would become. God has been with me through difficult times as well as joyful times. There were moments of danger when I knew that God was present and called me to trust that all would be well. I have had the gift of mentors, friends and community who journeyed with me along the way. I recognize that the gifts and talents I have come from God. There are so many blessings along the way that I could expound on them for hours. This reflection calls me to respond to the question from Psalm 116; What am I called to return to the Lord?

The promise God made to Israel and the promise God made in the death and resurrection of Jesus continues into our time and our lives. We celebrate this promise and renew our response to it each time we gather for Eucharist. In a very real way, when we celebrate Eucharist and receive communion, we renew our side of the covenant in the same way that Israel did when they responded “All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do.” Exodus 24:3

What does the Lord call us to do? To love one another, to serve the needs of those around us, to proclaim the Good News and continue to build a world of peace and justice for all people, not just for a few. Each of us is called to do this in our own particular way – according to the vocation to which God calls us. Where is God calling you today to respond to God’s generosity to you?

By Richard Beaudette, OMI