CV NEWS FEED // In a March 4 letter, Scott Hahn invited the faithful to reflect on the significance of the number seven during Lent, highlighting its biblical meaning and connection to covenant renewal.
In his letter, published by Angelus News, Hahn explained that throughout Scripture, the number seven represents completion, perfection, and the establishment of a covenant with God.
“The Hebrew word sheva (literally, to ‘seven oneself’) means ‘to swear a covenant oath,’” he explained. He pointed out that God not only created the world in seven days but also sanctified the seventh day as a sign of His bond with humanity.
This theme of seven as a sign of completion and covenant is seen throughout Scripture.
“The Bible ends with the Book of Revelation, which uses the word seven at least five dozen times,” Hahn said, referencing the seven churches, seven seals, seven angels, seven trumpets, and other references.
Hahn explained that the number seven “suggests perfection,” representing the completion of God’s work as seen in both the creation story in Genesis and the fulfillment of redemption in Revelation.
“But God does more than that,” he said. “He doesn’t just finish his work, dust off his hands, and clock out. He creates the world not simply for himself but for those he loves. And as he hallows the seventh day he makes a covenant with them — that is, he establishes a bond of kinship with them.”
Hahn sees the Lenten season as a time when Catholics can renew their own covenant with God.
“Well, now you and I face our own time of covenant renewal: the seven weeks that lead us to Easter,” he wrote. “Yes, it will be a time of fasting, challenges, and difficulty. But, if we are faithful, these seven weeks will strengthen our family bond with almighty God, which was sealed by Jesus Christ in the events of Holy Week.”
To guide Catholics through this season, Hahn is releasing a free, seven-part video series meditating on the Seven Last Words of Jesus.
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