Daily Readings - Fri Feb 14 2025

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 the divine response to our frailties. The first reading from Genesis recounts the story of Adam and Eve, where temptation leads to disobedience, resulting in their separation from God. This passage is foundational, illustrating the origin of sin and humanity's subsequent state of alienation. The second reading from Mark presents a vivid miracle where Jesus heals a deaf and mute man, restoring his ability to hear and speak. This act underscores Jesus' role as a restorer of creation, bridging the gap caused by sin. The Genesis narrative sets the stage for understanding the human condition, marked by vulnerability to temptation and the consequences of sin. Adam and Eve's choice to eat the forbidden fruit leads to shame and hiding, symbolizing humanity's spiritual separation from God. In contrast, the Mark passage highlights Jesus' compassionate authority, demonstrating His power to heal and restore. By touching the man's ears and tongue, Jesus not only heals his physical ailments but also restores his connection to community and communication, symbolizing spiritual healing. These readings invite us to recognize our own vulnerabilities and the need for divine grace. Just as Adam and Eve faced temptation, we too encounter challenges that test our faith. Yet, in Jesus, we find the healer who restores our spiritual hearing and speech, enabling us to communicate with God and others. The moral lesson here is the call to trust in Jesus' power to heal our sins and weaknesses. Through faith, we can overcome our spiritual deafness and muteness, allowing us to live as His disciples, speaking and acting with renewed purpose.