“What does covenant mean? And what is our covenant with God?" asked Sean, the 7^th grader, when Father Bill, the pastor, visited Sean’s religion class. Sean asked Sr. Mary Noel, his teacher, the same questions earlier and she prompted him to wait for Father’s visit. And so Sean fired away when Father Bill arrived! Relieved, Sr. Noel listened to Father’s reply. Father asked, “Sean, did you know we are all on a journey?" Father added, "and did you know that Christ is traveling the whole way with us?”

He continued, “It all began when God, Jesus’ Father had a dream--a dream—He called creation!” Looking now at the whole class, Father Bill continued, “One day God spoke, and a vast universe appeared. God spoke again and land and trees appeared. God kept speaking and stars and oceans and animals filled this creation! Finally, God spoke—and He created—Man and Woman and He called them—Adam and Eve. God liked them so much, He called them His masterpieces!” Father looked at Sean and waited. Then he continued “Sean, God put Adam and Even in charge of the entire garden asking only that they stay away from one tree

Father Bill went on—noting how happy God was—"God surveyed it all and smiled, and in a clear voice God proclaimed—“It is good. It is very good!" Father Bill then looked at Sean and said, “This Sean, was the beginning of God’s covenant.” Sean quickly replied: “But Father, didn’t they mess it all up by eating the apple from that tree ?”

"Well," Father Bill replied, “I’m not sure it was an apple, but they did mess it up, that’s for sure!” And Fr. Bill added, “God closed the garden down.”

"However," as Father Bill quickly added, “God never changed His mind about how He felt about Adam and Eve and all of His creation! God longed to try again. God—as we know—did not want the covenant, this togetherness, to fade away!”

Looking once again at the whole class Father Bill assured the children saying, “God never stopped thinking of ways to bring the covenant back.” He continued, “God never stopped reminiscing about the garden!” Father then paused and with a smile said—“Sean, God spoke one more word—and it was his best. Loudly and clearly God spoke—Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word." Excited now, Father Bill exclaimed, "And because of Jesus, this Covenant lives on until this very day!”

Now pointing to the entire class, Father Bill said, “So you see Sean, we are God’s Covenant now. God’s love and mercy—once given to Adam and Eve—now belongs to us."

Still looking at Sean, Fr. Bill stated, "And we still live in God's modern garden called Church!”

Father Bill next said, "And from here we are invited to love God back—in Church and in everything we do, and everywhere we go!" Pausing Father said, "Sean, we are the New Covenant and now God speaks through us, your classmates included." Then taking a deep breath, Father with arms outstretched said, "Does that answer your questions?”

Everyone smiled and nodded their heads in agreement. It seemed they liked being called God’s Covenant. Even Sr. Noel smiled as Father Bill waved farewell.

And that ended Sean’s quest!