Daily Readings - Tue Feb 12 2019
Genesis
20And then God said, "Let the waters produce animals with a living soul, and flying creatures above the earth, under the firmament of heaven.21And God created the great sea creatures, and everything with a living soul and the ability to move that the waters produced, according to their species, and all the flying creatures, according to their kind. And God saw that it was good22And he blessed them, saying: "Increase and multiply, and fill the waters of the sea. And let the birds be multiplied above the land.23And it became evening and morning, the fifth day24God also said, "Let the land produce living souls in their kind: cattle, and animals, and wild beasts of the earth, according to their species." And so it became25And God made the wild beasts of the earth according to their species, and the cattle, and every animal on the land, according to its kind. And God saw that it was good26And he said: "Let us make Man to our image and likeness. And let him rule over the fish of the sea, and the flying creatures of the air, and the wild beasts, and the entire earth, and every animal that moves on the earth.27And God created man to his own image; to the image of God he created him; male and female, he created them28And God blessed them, and he said, "Increase and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and the flying creatures of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.29And God said: "Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant upon the earth, and all the trees that have in themselves the ability to sow their own kind, to be food for you30and for all the animals of the land, and for all the flying things of the air, and for everything that moves upon the earth and in which there is a living soul, so that they may have these on which to feed." And so it became31And God saw everything that he had made. And they were very good. And it became evening and morning, the sixth day
1And so the heavens and the earth were completed, with all their adornment2And on the seventh day, God fulfilled his work, which he had made. And on the seventh day he rested from all his work, which he had accomplished3And he blessed the seventh day and sanctified it. For in it, he had ceased from all his work: the work whereby God created whatever he should make4These are the generations of heaven and earth, when they were created, in the day when the Lord God made heaven and earth
Mark
1And the Pharisees and some of the scribes, arriving from Jerusalem, gathered together before him2And when they had seen certain ones from his disciples eating bread with common hands, that is, with unwashed hands, they disparaged them3For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat without repeatedly washing their hands, holding to the tradition of the elders4And when returning from the market, unless they wash, they do not eat. And there are many other things which have been handed down to them to observe: the washings of cups, and pitchers, and bronze containers, and beds5And so the Pharisees and the scribes questioned him: "Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but they eat bread with common hands?6But in response, he said to them: "So well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, just as it has been written: ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me7And in vain do they worship me, teaching the doctrines and precepts of men.8For abandoning the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men, to the washing of pitchers and cups. And you do many other things similar to these.9And he said to them: "You effectively nullify the precept of God, so that you may observe your own tradition10For Moses said: ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever will have cursed father or mother, let him die a death.11But you say, ‘If a man will have said to his father or mother: Korban, (which is a gift) whatever is from me will be to your benefit,12then you do not release him to do anything for his father or mother13rescinding the word of God through your tradition, which you have handed down. And you do many other similar things in this way.
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through the creation story in Genesis and witness a pivotal moment in Mark's Gospel where Jesus confronts the Pharisees about their traditions.
The first reading from Genesis recounts the culmination of creation, where God brings forth land animals and humanity, culminating in the sacred rest of the seventh day. This passage underscores God's deliberate and purposeful creation, emphasizing the inherent dignity of all life and the sanctity of rest. The creation story invites us to marvel at God's wisdom and to respect the balance and order He has established in the world.
In the Gospel, Jesus challenges the Pharisees for prioritizing human traditions over God's commandments. He criticizes their focus on rituals like hand-washing while neglecting the heart of the law, such as honoring one's parents. This confrontation highlights the tension between outward practices and inward devotion, reminding us that true faith must be rooted in love and sincerity rather than mere observance.
These readings remind us to balance our spiritual practices with genuine faith. While traditions can enrich our worship, they should never overshadow the core teachings of love and justice. Let us reflect on our own practices, ensuring they lead us closer to God and His will, rather than becoming ends in themselves. In doing so, we honor both the beauty of creation and the call to live with hearts true to God's commandments.