Memory of the Church

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European day of memory of the Holocaust


Reading of the Word of God

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

I am the good shepherd,
my sheep listen to my voice,
and they become
one flock and one fold.
.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

2 Samuel 7,18-19.24-29

King David then went in, sat down in Yahweh's presence and said: 'Who am I, Lord Yahweh, and what is my lineage, for you to have led me as far as this? Yet, to you, Lord Yahweh, this seemed too little, and now you extend your promises for your servant's family into the distant future. Such is human destiny, Lord Yahweh. for you constituted your people Israel your own people for ever and you, Yahweh, became their God. 'Now, Yahweh God, may the promise which you have made for your servant and for his family stand firm forever as you have said, so that your name will be exalted for ever and people will say, "Israel's God is Yahweh Sabaoth." Your servant David's dynasty will be secure before you, since you, Yahweh Sabaoth, the God of Israel, have disclosed to your servant, "I am going to build you a dynasty." Hence, your servant has ventured to offer this prayer to you. Yes, Lord Yahweh, you are God indeed, your words are true and you have made this generous promise to your servant. What is more, you have deigned to bless your servant's dynasty, so that it may remain for ever before you; for you, Lord Yahweh, have spoken; and may your servant's dynasty be blessed with your blessing for ever.'

 

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

I give you a new commandment,
that you love one another.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

David goes in the tent where the Ark of the covenant is kept and from his heart arises a humble and intense prayer: "Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?" By now David knows very well that everything he is comes from God. David is unable to boast of any special merits and yet God chose him and placed him at the head of a kingdom that is conferred to him "for ever." God's faithfulness to his people establishes Israel's existence and vocation: "Who is like your people, like Israel? Is there another nation on earth whose God went to redeem it as a people, and to make a name for himself?" Contemplating God's greatness and generosity, David is taken by wonder. The memory of the love of God who never abandons his people is a substantial part of the faith and prayer of believers. David implores the Lord to keep forever his promise made to Israel. It is a bold request, so much so that David himself marvels at making it. But he confesses that his audacity in asking is motivated by God's divine promise. Praying is asking but it also remembering God's love for His children. David, having become family with God, can ask for blessings from heaven for himself and for his people. He is truly an example also for us believers and disciples of Jesus, the Messiah Saviour.