Daily Readings - Fri Feb 15 2019
Genesis
1However, the serpent was more crafty than any of the creatures of the earth that the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, "Why has God instructed you, that you should not eat from every tree of Paradise?2The woman responded to him: "From the fruit of the trees which are in Paradise, we eat3Yet truly, from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of Paradise, God has instructed us that we should not eat, and that we should not touch it, lest perhaps we may die.4Then the serpent said to the woman: "By no means will you die a death5For God knows that, on whatever day you will eat from it, your eyes will be opened; and you will be like gods, knowing good and evil.6And so the woman saw that the tree was good to eat, and beautiful to the eyes, and delightful to consider. And she took from its fruit, and she ate. And she gave to her husband, who ate7And the eyes of them both were opened. And when they realized themselves to be naked, they joined together fig leaves and made coverings for themselves8And when they had heard the voice of the Lord God taking a walk in Paradise in the afternoon breeze, Adam and his wife hid themselves from the face of the Lord God in the midst of the trees of Paradise
Mark
31And again, departing from the borders of Tyre, he went by way of Sidon to the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the area of the Ten Cities32And they brought someone who was deaf and mute to him. And they begged him, so that he would lay his hand upon him33And taking him away from the crowd, he put his fingers into his ears; and spitting, he touched his tongue34And gazing up to heaven, he groaned and said to him: "Ephphatha," which is, "Be opened.35And immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was released, and he spoke correctly36And he instructed them not to tell anyone. But as much as he instructed them, so much more did they preach about it37And so much more did they wonder, saying: "He has done all things well. He has caused both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the human condition and God's redeeming love. In Genesis, we witness the fall of humanity through Adam and Eve's disobedience, as they succumb to the serpent's temptation. This act of rebellion leads to their awareness of sin and separation from God, a state that would persist until God's plan of redemption unfolds. In Mark's Gospel, we encounter a different kind of fall—the physical and spiritual suffering of a deaf and mute man. Jesus, with compassion and divine authority, heals him, restoring his ability to hear and speak, symbolizing the restoration of humanity's relationship with God.
The connection between these readings lies in the theme of redemption and healing. The fall in Genesis represents the fracturing of humanity's bond with God, while the healing in Mark signifies the beginning of that bond's restoration through Jesus. Both stories highlight the consequences of sin and the power of God's grace to overcome them. The man's healing is not just physical but also spiritual, as it allows him to fully engage with God's Word and community.
In our daily lives, we often face our own "falls"—moments of sin, doubt, or separation from God. Yet, like the man who was healed, we are called to trust in Jesus' power to restore us. Let us approach Him with faith, acknowledging our need for healing and renewal. May we, like the man, experience the transformative power of God's grace, and may our hearts and minds be opened to His love and truth. Through this, we participate in the ongoing story of redemption, drawing closer to God and living as witnesses of His healing power.