Today's old testament lesson tells the story of God's first, unconditional covenant with mankind after the great flood: that God would never again flood the earth. While this story illustrates God's power, we know through his promise that He is good enough not to do this again. Instead, the 40 days of Lent remind us that, like the 40 days of flooding cleansed the earth of evil, the waters of baptism cleanse us as children of God.
