Daily Readings - Wed Feb 15 2023

⁶And when forty days had passed, Noah, opening the window that he had made in the ark, sent forth a raven⁷which went forth and did not return, until the waters were dried up across the earth⁸Likewise, he sent forth a dove after him, in order to see if the waters had now ceased upon the face of the earth⁹But when she did not find a place where her foot might rest, she returned to him in the ark. For the waters were upon the whole earth. And he extended his hand and caught her, and he brought her into the ark¹⁰And then, having waited a further seven days, he again sent forth the dove out of the ark¹¹And she came to him in the evening, carrying in her mouth an olive branch with green leaves. Noah then understood that the waters had ceased upon the earth¹²And nevertheless, he waited another seven days. And he sent forth the dove, which no longer returned to him¹³Therefore, in the six hundred and first year, in the first month, on the first day of the month, the waters were diminished upon the earth. And Noah, opening the cover of the ark, gazed out and saw that the surface of the earth had become dry²⁰Then Noah built an altar to the Lord. And, taking from each of the cattle and birds that were clean, he offered holocausts upon the altar²¹And the Lord smelled the sweet odor and said: "I will no longer curse the earth because of man. For the feelings and thoughts of the heart of man are prone to evil from his youth. Therefore, I will no longer pierce every living soul as I have done²²All the days of the earth, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, night and day, will not cease.

Mark

Chapter 8

²²And they went to Bethsaida. And they brought a blind man to him. And they petitioned him, so that he would touch him²³And taking the blind man by the hand, he led him beyond the village. And putting spit on his eyes, laying his hands on him, he asked him if he could see anything²⁴And looking up, he said, "I see men but they are like walking trees.²⁵Next he placed his hands again over his eyes, and he began to see. And he was restored, so that he could see everything clearly²⁶And he sent him to his house, saying, "Go into your own house, and if you enter into the town, tell no one.

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter stories of transformation and renewal, each offering insights into God's grace and our response to it. The first reading from Genesis describes the aftermath of the flood, where Noah releases a raven and a dove to ascertain if the earth is habitable again. The dove's return with an olive branch signifies peace and new life, leading Noah to build an altar in gratitude. This act marks the beginning of a covenant between God and humanity, a promise of mercy and renewal. The Gospel from Mark narrates the healing of a blind man in Bethsaida. Jesus' method is unusual—using spit and a gradual process to restore sight. This miracle underscores Jesus' divine power and His approach to healing, which often involves patience and trust. The man's initial partial vision, followed by complete clarity, mirrors our own spiritual journeys, where understanding and faith develop over time. Both stories highlight themes of trust and transformation. Noah's patience and faith in God's plan, despite the uncertainty of the flood's aftermath, teach us to trust in divine providence. The blind man's healing reminds us that spiritual enlightenment is a process requiring openness and perseverance. In our lives, we may face periods of uncertainty or darkness, but these readings assure us that God is always present, offering renewal and hope. Let us embrace the journey, trusting in God's plan and remaining open to His transformative grace.