Daily Readings - Fri Feb 10 2023
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
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on the human condition and God's redemptive love. The first reading from Genesis recounts the story of Adam and Eve, where temptation and disobedience lead to the Fall. The serpent's cunning and the couple's choice to eat the forbidden fruit introduce sin into the world, resulting in their awareness of nakedness and subsequent hiding from God. This story sets the stage for understanding humanity's inherent frailty and the need for divine mercy.
The Gospel from Mark presents a stark contrast with the story of Jesus healing a deaf and mute man. Through this miracle, Jesus restores the man's ability to hear and speak, symbolizing the spiritual healing He offers to all. This passage highlights Jesus' compassion and power, demonstrating His role as the one who brings light and wholeness to a world affected by sin.
These readings remind us that while sin separates us from God, Jesus offers healing and restoration. In our daily lives, we are called to acknowledge our own vulnerabilities and trust in God's plan. Just as the deaf man was healed through faith, we too can experience spiritual renewal by turning to Jesus. Let us embrace this healing with open hearts, trusting in God's mercy and allowing His grace to transform us.