Waters of Covenant Mercy

Josh 3:7-10a.11.13-17, Psalm: 113, Mt 18:21—19:1

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, today, we will reflect on the powerful theme of Waters of Covenant Mercy. Our focus is on the moment when the waters of the Jordan River parted, allowing the Israelites to step into their promised land. This is not just a historical event. It is a profound illustration of God’s unyielding mercy and grace. As Israel crosses into the Promised Land and Peter learns the arithmetic of forgiveness, we discover that God’s covenant faithfulness demands our response of radical trust and limitless pardon.

As we read in the book of Joshua, the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel.” The waters flowing from upstream halted, rising up in a single heap. Imagine that moment. The Israelites stood at the edge of the Jordan, a formidable barrier, yet God made a way. This is our God, who parts the waters in our lives and invites us to step forward in faith. The Ark of the Covenant, which led the way into the Jordan, symbolizes Christ himself. Just as the Ark carried the presence of God among His people, Christ bears our burdens and leads us to freedom. When we step into our Jordan, we are stepping into our relationship with Jesus. He calls us to trust in Him, to believe that He can part the waters of our fears, our doubts, and our past. This act of stepping in brings to mind the imagery of baptism. As we descend into the waters, we are enveloped in mercy. We are washed clean, granted a fresh start. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward grace, a reflection of the covenant we have with God.

In this covenant, we find the promise of unlimited forgiveness. Consider the parable of the unforgiving servant in today’s Gospel. He owed a debt he could never repay. Yet, in an act of boundless mercy, his master forgave him. But when he encountered a fellow servant who owed him a mere fraction of what he owed, he refused to extend that same mercy. Let us not be like that servant. Instead, we must keep a “77 times” journal. In Matthew 18:22, Jesus tells us to forgive not just seven times, but seventy-seven times. This is our call to cultivate a heart of mercy, to document our journey of forgiveness. Each entry in our journal becomes a reminder of the grace we have received and the grace we are called to give.

As we contemplate the debts we carry, let us remember the weight of our own sins. In Matthew 18:24-28, we see the contrast between the insurmountable debt of the servant and the small debt of his fellow servant. When we recognize the magnitude of what we have been forgiven, it compels us to extend that mercy to others.

Finally, we must receive and extend Eucharistic mercy. In Matthew 18:35, we are reminded that our heavenly Father will treat us the same way if we do not forgive our brothers and sisters. Pope Benedict XVI said, “The Eucharist is a school of forgiveness” (Sacramentum Caritatis, 89). The Eucharist is a celebration of grace, a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice. It is through communion that we are nourished, strengthened, and empowered to be conduits of mercy in a world that desperately needs it.

So, I would like to ask you today, will you step into your Jordan? Will you trust God to part the waters of your life? Will you keep a journal of forgiveness, documenting your journey? Will you reflect on your debts and respond with a heart full of mercy? Let us embrace the Waters of Covenant Mercy, knowing that in Christ, we are forgiven and called to forgive. Amen.