October 11 | Luke 22:14-20

celmer321
Oct 10
3 min read

DAILY READING

REFLECTION

A New and Better Way

By Carmel Elmer

The heading of this week's readings has been A New and Better Way...The New Covenant. So, what is this new covenant and how does it apply to our world today?

I am probably the least qualified person to write a devotional. First and foremost, I’m not a writer and secondly, I've never even done a formal bible study. But like many of you maybe, I'm searching. Searching to make sense of my own life in a world that is sometimes cruel, intolerant and so broken. Writing these devotionals forces me to dig deeper into God's word and really think about how it applies in our world today.

As I read today's passage and think about this new and wonderful covenant that Jesus made with his disciples and with us through the sacrifice of his very blood and body, I ask myself, when will humanity learn?

Jesus offered us restorative justice. Instead of punishment when we make mistakes or mess up, He offers healing, forgiveness, and restoration. The old covenant was one of punitive justice, an eye for an eye and a system of rules and rituals that were the prescription for earning your way into God's favor and avoiding His punishment. Jesus' New Covenant made the old covenant obsolete. Or did it?

Recently, a dear friend shared a Richard Rohr interview on this very topic. In it he said if we're honest we still live in a punitive system of justice and for most of us, it’s all we understand. If you hurt me, I’ll hurt you back. If you don't make me happy anymore, I’ll leave. If I don't agree with you, I’ll gun you down in front of a crowd!

Jesus came to rescue us from that way of living. The love that He demonstrated was a sacrificial love so committed that He willingly gave his life for us, and he shared his body with us so that He would always be in us. We are loved and valued as we are.

The charge to us? Do as I do. Love as I love. Serve others as I serve you. "Do this in remembrance of me."

If we want the world to be different, we must live the way Jesus taught his disciples to live through his teaching and, yes, through his service and sacrifice. He made that sacrifice for them by giving them his body and blood through the eucharist and through his death on the cross, a sacrifice which extends to us today. Until we can let go of that old system of punishment and reward, we will never be able to truly live at peace with one another. Each of us has the responsibility to make an impact and love is the way to make that impact one of peace, healing and hope in a time of uncertainty and discourse.

Jesus feeds us his life giving, love giving presence every time we receive Him through communion. What we do with that gift is up to us, but I can assure you that we are not meant to hold onto it and keep it to ourselves. When Jesus said "Do this in remembrance of me" I think he invites us to remember him, remember his sacrifice, welcome his very being into our very being, and follow his example of sacrificial love. The gift of His love is meant to be shared, and it is the only way to truly make positive changes in the world around us.

From one searcher to another, I think that's what the New Covenant is all about. Isn’t it about time to leave the old behind and live in this "New and Better Way"?

PRAYER

Lord, make us instruments of your peace: where there is hatred let us sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy.

- St. Francis of Assisi

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CARMEL ELMER

I have attended UALC for nearly 25 years, but faith has always been at the center of my life. My mom was an incredible role model, demonstrating a trust in God that surpassed any circumstance. I will always be grateful for her incredible example of faith, and I pray that one day, my children will say the same about me.