Fulfilling a Promise

A Reflection on the First Reading for Sunday, February 18th, 2024:
First Sunday of Lent

---

Genesis
9.8-15

​God said to Noah and to his sons with him, “As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.”

God said, "This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.”

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

We’ve heard of the great flood, the ark, and how God continues to fulfill His promise. We’ve read the storybooks, which have in turn become movies. The story of Noah's Ark is iconic among the Old Testament stories. But there is more to this scripture, and it starts with a promise.

I’ve read the story to my daughter, as it was read to many of us as children. You might even be reading it to your children now. My daughter loved the big boat, the animals, the rainbows, and the beautiful drawings. While these change from book to book and film to film, the message remains the same. God chose Noah and his family because they stood out among the rest. They had integrity, compassion, and good hearts. Like so many who are raising their families to follow God, we recognize that this covenant is more than a contract for a new job or a higher salary; it is a covenant that humanity will start again from this one family, keeping what is good and destroying what isn’t and, when it is over, God promises never to do such a thing again. To signify His promise, God hangs a bow in the sky as a reminder. No matter how wicked humanity may behave again, God will never destroy it. I can’t help but wonder what it would have been like to hear the promise God made to Noah, who wholeheartedly trusted God and the plans for his family. We are all called to do that: trust God and the plan. I know I work on this daily, and I assume that Noah had similar feelings when God made this promise.

When I look at the world today, I can’t help but think that we are living within God’s promise not to destroy the earth again with a flood. The world seems flooded with hatred, war, hunger, and poverty, but God keeps His word to Noah, and we should do the same. God is setting an example for us. I don’t believe it is as simple as saying, “It’s God's promise to keep.” Could it possibly be that we are called to help make the world a better place? Is this related to the covenant between God and Noah? Can we be a reminder, just like that bow in the sky, perhaps by how we view the world and everything that surrounds us, perhaps by the way we treat others or go out of out way to help someone in need, spread a little joy through a smile, or invite friends and family members to join us at Mass or to reflect on scripture together. While these might be small covenants we can make with God, they can draw us closer and help fulfill a promise, just like God is doing for Noah.



​Shelly Fillmore

---