By Fr. Jerry Pokorsky: The Guardian of the Covenant

By Fr. Jerry Pokorsky, Catholic Culture, Dec 22, 2025

Fr. Jerry Pokorsky is a priest of the Diocese of Arlington who has also served as a financial administrator in the Diocese of Lincoln. Trained in business and accounting, he also holds a Master of Divinity and a Master’s in moral theology. Father Pokorsky co-founded both CREDO and Adoremus, two organizations deeply engaged in authentic liturgical renewal. He writes regularly for a number of Catholic websites and magazines . See full bio.

In commerce, parties engage in trade agreements. Nations make treaty agreements. Every agreement enhances mutual understanding. Some even prevent war. Throughout Scripture, God also enters into trade agreements with man.

At first glance, St. Joseph may appear to occupy a relatively obscure role as a negotiator in the Gospels, but the account of the angel Gabriel appearing to Joseph establishes him as a key negotiator on our behalf in God’s providence.

In the Book of Genesis, God witnesses the marriage between Adam and Eve. Adam delights in his new bride during his honeymoon: “At last, bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh!” God establishes a covenant with our First Parents and gives them the gift of the fruit of the tree of everlasting life if they agree to obediently avoid the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. A good deal, when you think of it. In perfect goodness, why would they want to know anything about evil? God honored His side of the bargain. But Adam and Eve broke the agreement and brought sin, suffering, and death into the world. …

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