Today’s readings invite us to consider the covenant bond we have with others. Biblical covenant is a communal concept and a commitment that emerges from a society which insists on mutual responsibility. Righteousness is a covenant term and a quality that is shared with us by means of our covenant bond with a merciful and compassionate God. Paul challenges Timothy, and us, to pursue this righteousness, along with devotion, faith, love, patience and gentleness. Some of these virtues focus on our relationship with God, but most of them are directed toward our relationship with others. Those who are less fortunate remain our sisters and brothers. If we take lightly our covenant obligations and allow them to languish at our gates, we will have only ourselves to blame, finding ourselves having to face the judgment of God.