I set my bow in the clouds to serve as
a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.
Genesis 9:13
First Sunday of Lent – Genesis 9
I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth – Gen 9.
Today’s Lenten Reflection
Do you remember the last time a rainbow captivated your attention? There are double-rainbows that appear in the sky so magnificent that people pull over on the highway just to stare at them in wonder. No doubt, the rainbow given to Noah as a sign of God’s covenant still has a powerful grip on us humans today. And if we think about it, we seem to recognize its glory innately as some sort of heavenly sign seared into our soul. And the truth is, it is.
Within the vibrant colors spreading across the sky, the rainbow reminds us once again of God’s handiwork in and through creation. But more so than the creation itself, the sight of a rainbow (much like most of His creation) is also biblical. The Lord told Noah that whenever he saw a rainbow, he was to remember God’s covenant with mankind. And that message is for all of us today. In other words, whenever we see a rainbow we are to remember it as a sign in the sky – a reminder in the sky – from God Himself that we His People will never be forgotten; that His covenant stands firm throughout all ages as an unbreakable promise that He is always with us.
First Lenten Sunday Meditation
The next time you see a rainbow in the sky, thank God for His covenant with you. Even if you only see a tiny sliver of the rainbow prism, knowing what it means will hit your soul with full force. We don’t need to see the full bow; even a glimmer is enough to make us giddy about God, His goodness and His omnipresence. Just a hint of its wonder should get us reflecting upon the divine promise made so many centuries ago. You may even feel compelled to capture the moment by bottling it up for a rainy day when you need the reminder that His covenant is still with you, His eyes are upon you, and you are loved beyond measure forever and ever, Amen.
Lenten Prayer
Creator God, we bask in the glory of Your grand plan – the universe spread out before us in all its beauty and wonder. Thank You for the blessings of this earth in which we live and for the visible reminders of Your hand at work in and throughout our lives. Loving Father, reveal to us our great worth and how we are to serve You in this life so as to rejoice with You in Heaven where all temptations and darkness will vanish. Lord Jesus, it is in your most sacred heart that we place all our trust and it is in Your good and holy Name we pray, Amen.
Today’s suggested Penance
Spend 10 minutes reading the Bible.
Suggested Readings: Genesis 9:8-15; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:12-15
“With my mouth,” God says, “I kiss my own chosen creation. I uniquely, lovingly, embrace every image I have made out of the earth’s clay. With a fiery spirit I transform it into a body to serve all the world” –Saint Hildegard of Bingen.
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