RELIGION AND ART

THURSDAY WEEK FIVE OF LENT YEAR C: COVENANT IN PERPETUITY First Reading Genesis 17:3-9   Abraham, the father of a multitude of nations Readings Abram bowed to the ground and God said this to him, ‘Here now is my covenant with you: you shall become the father of a multitude of nations. You shall no longer be called Abram; your name shall be Abraham, for I make you father of a multitude of nations. I will make you most fruitful. I will make you into nations, and your issue shall be kings. I will establish my Covenant between myself and you, and your descendants after you, generation after generation, a Covenant in perpetuity, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. I will give to you and to your descendants after you the land you are living in, the whole land of Canaan, to own in perpetuity, and I will be your God.’ Responsorial Psalm: The Lord remembers his covenant for ever Lectures Gospel  John 8:51-59  Your father Abraham saw my Day and was glad ...

Now since the children have flesh and blood in common,  He also shared in these, so that through His death  He might destroy the one holding the power of death, that is the devil, and free those who were held in  slavery all their lives by the fear of death. For it is clear that He does not reach out to help angels,  but to help Abraham's offspring. Therefore He had to be like His brothers in every  way, so that He could become a merciful  high priest in service to God, to make propitiation  for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tested and has suffered, He is able to help those who are tested. Heb. 2:14-18 Readings