Know the Lord

A Reflection on the First Reading for Sunday, March 17th, 2024:
Fifth Sunday of Lent

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Jeremiah
31.31-34

​The days are surely coming, says the Lord,
when I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.
It will not be like the covenant that I made with their fathers
when I took them by the hand
to bring them out of the land of Egypt --
a covenant that they broke,
though I was their husband,
says the Lord.

But this is the covenant
that I will make with the house of Israel after those days,
says the Lord:
I will put my law within them,
and I will write it on their hearts;
and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other,
“Know the Lord,”
for they shall all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord;
for I will forgive their iniquity,
and remember their sin no more.

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

​What does it mean to know someone? This is a really deep and personal question that each one of us can ponder. 

Being a school teacher, I am familiar with how well my students know their parents. Student A could be terrified at the prospect of his Mum being sent an email about failing a test, while Student B could blatantly tell you that he will complain about you to his Mum because he failed his test. These are diversely different reactions that showcase the knowledge that children possess about their parents. And in both cases, the knowledge is pretty accurate.

In a similar manner, as Christians, some of us may believe that God is testing us and holding out on us, while a brother Christian may believe that the Lord is purifying him through his suffering. However, in this case, it is the latter person who possesses true knowledge of God. Our reactions to circumstances and situations may demonstrate what our knowledge of the Lord comprises. And many a time, our faulty or half-baked knowledge of our Heavenly Father informs our choices and decisions.

In Scripture, we come across many people who know the Lord. Let’s look at two people who possessed true knowledge of the Lord – Abraham and Mary Magdalene. Abraham knew that God would fulfil the promise He made to Abraham and make him the father of nations even though he was a very old man. The Lord put His promise on Abraham’s heart, and Abraham in turn rewarded the Lord with unwavering faith, thus proving that Abraham knew the Lord. 

Similarly, Mary Magdalene was redeemed by Jesus and got to know herself through the process of knowing God. Her redeemer clothed her with dignity and love. She was rescued from the torment she underwent and, forever indebted, followed Jesus not only to the cross, but also to the tomb.

Later this week, we celebrate the Feast of Saint Joseph. Joseph possessed true knowledge of God the Father – knowledge given to Joseph through the medium of dreams. Joseph used this knowledge to protect God the Son and His mother, Mary. Joseph discerned the will of God before every decision he made. In other words, he sought knowledge of God’s will before doing anything.

As we continue on our Lenten journey, let us introspect if we possess the knowledge of Abraham, Mary Magdalene, and Saint Joseph. In moments of confusion and despair, we can turn to these faith-filled models who truly knew the Lord – and understood their circumstances in light of the knowledge revealed to them. Let us allow Jeremiah’s words to resonate in our souls – “I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” And in an attempt to be truly His, let us never pass up an opportunity to know Him for who He is – our God who is Love – the One who forgives our iniquities and remembers our sins no more!




​Rebecca Dmello

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