As with so many passages in both the Old and the New Testaments, I have heard them before and thought I knew them so well. Yet, all of them are still so rich!
Take for example today's first reading, God's covenant with Noah. When I consider that the Old Testament covenants are fulfilled in Jesus Christ, and that some of the details and promises contained therein may actually "prefigure" the Sacraments -- well, it's truly awesome!
I read somewhere that The Flood itself prefigured Baptism -- and the Ark prefigured the Church. In that light, when I consider the rainbow, which God refers to as "This is the sign that I am giving for all ages to come, of the covenant between me and you and every living creature with you: I set my rainbow in the clouds to serve as a sign of the covenant between me and the earth." (see Genesis 9:12-13)
Could that sign, that reference in itself, be referring to what would become His institution of the Sacraments themselves?
For me, even the prohibition of eating meat with its "lifeblood" still in it, takes on an interesting possible meaning! Could it have been the beginning revelation of the Eucharist Sacrifice?
Truly, how great Thou art, O Lord!
Alleluia!
