In today’s First Reading Paul recalls the history of God’s relationship with Israel, and that history gradually grows in hope and expectation until he sends his Son as the Messiah. God gives Israel a place to call home: he frees them from Egypt, establishes them as his people by making a covenant with them, and leads them to the Promised Land after tolerating their infidelity in the desert. He sent them leaders, the judges and the prophet Samuel, to bail them out when their infidelity gets them into deep trouble with surrounding nations. Finally, they ask for a king like the surrounding nations, and he appoints Saul, who ends up being enslaved by public opinion and disappoints the Lord. The Lord is trying to do good with them, and, sometimes, in spite of them.
Then the Lord gave them David, who, despite some faults and failings, ushered in one of the most prosperous times of Israel and a united kingdom. At this same time, touched by David’s devotion, the Lord promises a savior through one of his descendants, whom we now know to be Christ, even though those listening to Paul in today’s First Reading were still on the fence. Paul mentions that David was pleasing to God when he sought to carry out his every wish. Christ took this dedication to a new level, not only being God’s Son, but obeying him and seeking to please him with all his heart. In this way the Lord went from sending help to sending himself.
The Lord has sent so many good people our way, both personally and as the People of God. Our Lord reminds us in today’s Gospel that we too have been sent. Let’s help people believe in the Father and believe in his Son by doing good too.
Readings: Acts 13:13–25; Psalm 89:2–3, 21–22, 25, 27; John 13:16–20. See also 4th Week of Easter, Thursday.