Daily Readings - Mon Feb 10 2025
Genesis
1In the beginning, God created heaven and earth2But the earth was empty and unoccupied, and darknesses were over the face of the abyss; and so the Spirit of God was brought over the waters3And God said, "Let there be light." And light became4And God saw the light, that it was good; and so he divided the light from the darknesses5And he called the light, ‘Day,’ and the darknesses, ‘Night.’ And it became evening and morning, one day6God also said, "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide waters from waters.7And God made a firmament, and he divided the waters that were under the firmament, from those that were above the firmament. And so it became8And God called the firmament ‘Heaven.’ And it became evening and morning, the second day9Truly God said: "Let the waters that are under heaven be gathered together into one place; and let the dry land appear." And so it became10And God called the dry land, ‘Earth,’ and he called the gathering of the waters, ‘Seas.’ And God saw that it was good11And he said, "Let the land spring forth green plants, both those producing seed, and fruit-bearing trees, producing fruit according to their kind, whose seed is within itself, over all the earth." And so it became12And the land brought forth green plants, both those producing seed, according to their kind, and trees producing fruit, with each having its own way of sowing, according to its species. And God saw that it was good13And it became evening and the morning, the third day14Then God said: "Let there be lights in the firmament of heaven. And let them divide day from night, and let them become signs, both of the seasons, and of the days and years15Let them shine in the firmament of heaven and illuminate the earth." And so it became16And God made two great lights: a greater light, to rule over the day, and a lesser light, to rule over the night, along with the stars17And he set them in the firmament of heaven, to give light over all the earth18and to rule over the day as well as the night, and to divide light from darkness. And God saw that it was good19And it became evening and morning, the fourth day
Mark
53And when they had crossed over, they arrived in the land of Genesaret, and they reached the shore54And when they had disembarked from the boat, the people immediately recognized him55And running throughout that entire region, they began to carry on beds those who had maladies, to where they heard that he would be56And in whichever place he entered, in towns or villages or cities, they placed the infirm in the main streets, and they pleaded with him that they might touch even the hem of his garment. And as many as touched him were made healthy
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on God’s creative power and His enduring care for humanity. The first reading from Genesis describes the creation of the world, highlighting the order and beauty with which God brought light, land, and life into being. This passage reminds us that creation is not random but intentional, a reflection of God’s wisdom and love. The second reading from Mark’s Gospel shifts our focus to Jesus, who continues God’s work of restoration by healing the sick and the suffering in the region of Genesaret. The people’s faith and persistence in seeking Jesus’ touch demonstrate the profound connection between human need and divine compassion.
These readings are deeply connected, as they both reveal God’s desire to bring wholeness and life to His creation. In Genesis, we see God forming the world with precision and purpose, while in Mark, we witness Jesus, the Son of God, extending that same creative power to heal and restore. Together, they remind us that God’s work is not limited to the beginning of time but continues in every moment through His Son. Just as the people of Genesaret sought Jesus’ healing touch, we too can approach Him with faith, trusting that He desires to bring light and life to our darkest and most broken places.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us remember that we are part of God’s ongoing creation. Each day, we are called to cooperate with His plan, bringing order to chaos and hope to despair. Just as the people in the Gospel carried their sick to Jesus, we can carry our burdens, our fears, and our doubts to Him, confident in His power to heal and transform. May we, like the creation story, see the goodness of God in all things and, like the healed in Mark’s Gospel, experience His touch that restores us to fullness of life. Let us trust in God’s providence and allow His light to shine through us, even in the darkest corners of our world.