We are called to a covenant relationship with the Lord who is God, the one who is Lord alone. We have been invited into an intimate personal relationship with the creator of the universe who with infinite interest has numbered the very hairs on our head. It is not marvel enough that this mysterious God has created us; we have also been redeemed. As victim-priest Jesus has offered himself on our behalf. He is the sacrifice that sealed the covenant; his blood was the expiation for our sins; he is our rock, our fortress, our deliverer, our shield, our stronghold. Only one thing is asked of us in return: that we open ourselves to him and cling to the covenant, that we proclaim with all our hearts ‘The Lord is our God, the Lord alone!’ We are to love with all our heart and all our soul and all our strength; we are to love God and to love others.