The New Covenant

Weekly Missionary Reflection
5th week of Lent, 17 March 2024
Jer. 31:31-34; Ps. 51:3,4,12-13,14-15; Heb. 5:7-9; John 12:20-33

A “New Covenant” means the covenant renewed by God. The focus is on God’s initiative (v.31). This is the first characteristic of the New Covenant. It is not a promise and agreement among humans which is full of denials and mistakes. Not an agreement between nations and groups that is full of interest and agenda. In the context of its era, the New Covenant relates to the reinhabited Promised Land and the rebuilt Jerusalem (Jer. 31:27-28, 38-40). So the context is about human and worldly, even political. Faith has to organize the relationship of living together fairly. Faith has to build, transform, and enlighten society. 

God’s renewed covenant is sent to Israelis (v. 31). This is the second characteristic. A New Covenant means a new solidarity. No more separation of the Kingdom of Israel and Jews. God’s promise is uniting, not separating and dividing. Please bear in mind, that the New Covenant is bound to the burdened nation in the Exile. Therefore, God’s promise brings optimism and hope for a better future.

Third, the New Covenant is engraved in the heart, not on the tablet of stone: “I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts”. The bond of God and His people is no longer external but is deeper, not literally but internally. It is not just changing the outer performance, instead, it is truly an attitude and action of repentance. This is not possible before God transforms the human heart. And God has promised this earlier: “I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord” (Jer. 24:7a). The law of God engraved in our hearts allows each God’s people to become the instrument and channel of holiness, justice, royalty and truth of the Lord. 

Fourth, the new heart also allows God’s people to know the Lord (v.34a). In the Scripture, “knowing” means having a relationship, not just recognizing. Knowing God means truly experiencing and loving Him, and committing to live His purpose and plan. Because the Law of God is written in the heart, the knowledge of the letters of the law will be transcended. Now it’s the time for experiencing and practising the essence of God’s Law. The New Covenant will bring a “new understanding”: a deeper relationship, full of love and commitment to God and His agendas. 

Fifth, the New Covenant is based on total forgiveness. God does not remember man’s sins anymore (v.34b). Sins and mistakes of the past will not haunt His people anymore. This forgiveness is a unilateral act of God. With this unilateral action, God breaks the chain of “sin and forgiveness” in religious life which is often perpetuated by rituals and sacrifices. 

When will God realize the New Covenant? God just says “Now is the time” (v.31) and “after that time” (v.33). God’s time is “when” the Lord, Jesus Christ lived, suffered and died and His resurrection is the time of God realizing the New Covenant. Through the New Covenant, Son glorifies Father, and Father glorifies Son, as well as glorifying all of us, His children (cf. John 12:20-33).

(Hortensius Mandaru – Indonesia Bible Society)

DAILY DEDICATED PRAYER

Lord, our Father, I present my today prayer, thought, word, work, joy, and sorrow in unity with Your Son, Jesus Christ, who always presents Himself in the Eucharist for the salvation of the world. May the Holy Spirit animating Jesus, also be my guidance and strength today so that I am ready to be the witness of Your love.

Together with Mary, Mother of Jesus, and the Church, in particular, I present my prayer for our Pope and apostle prayer of the Indonesian Church of this month:

Universal Church Intent: For the new martyrs 
We pray that those who risk their lives for the Gospel in various parts of the world inflame the Church with their courage and missionary enthusiasm.

Indonesian Church Intent: Family with disabled kids
We pray that parents and families with disabled kids can interpret the presence of their children as a gift and a means to realize God’s love in a special way.

Amen.