Daily Readings - Mon Feb 17 2025
Genesis
1Truly, Adam knew his wife Eve, who conceived and gave birth to Cain, saying, "I have obtained a man through God.2And again she gave birth to his brother Abel. But Abel was a pastor of sheep, and Cain was a farmer3Then it happened, after many days, that Cain offered gifts to the Lord, from the fruits of the earth4Abel likewise offered from the firstborn of his flock, and from their fat. And the Lord looked with favor on Abel and his gifts5Yet in truth, he did not look with favor on Cain and his gifts. And Cain was vehemently angry, and his countenance fell6And the Lord said to him: "Why are you angry? And why is your face fallen7If you behave well, will you not receive? But if you behave badly, will not sin at once be present at the door? And so its desire will be within you, and you will be dominated by it.8And Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let us go outside." And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel, and he put him to death9And the Lord said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" And he responded: "I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?10And he said to him: "What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to me from the land11Now, therefore, you will be cursed upon the land, which opened its mouth and received the blood of your brother at your hand12When you work it, it will not give you its fruit; a vagrant and a fugitive shall you be upon the land.13And Cain said to the Lord: "My iniquity is too great to deserve kindness14Behold, you have cast me out this day before the face of the earth, and from your face I will be hidden; and I will be a vagrant and a fugitive on the earth. Therefore, anyone who finds me will kill me.15And the Lord said to him: "By no means will it be so; rather, whoever would kill Cain, will be punished sevenfold." And the Lord placed a seal upon Cain, so that anyone who found him would not put him to death25Adam also knew his wife again, and she gave birth to a son, and she called his name Seth, saying, "God has given me another offspring, in place of Abel, whom Cain killed.
Mark
11And the Pharisees went out and began to contend with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, testing him12And sighing deeply in spirit, he said: "Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, if only a sign will be given to this generation!13And sending them away, he climbed into the boat again, and he went away across the sea
Sermon
The readings today guide us through themes of sin, faith, and their profound consequences. In Genesis, we witness the tragic tale of Cain and Abel, where jealousy and anger lead to the first murder. Cain's offerings, born from resentment, are rejected by God, while Abel's sincere offerings are favored. This ancient story highlights the destructive power of envy and the importance of humility. Cain's punishment as a wanderer, yet protected by God's mark, reminds us of sin's consequences and God's enduring mercy.
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus confronts the Pharisees' demand for a sign, a test of his divinity. Jesus' refusal to provide a sign underscores the necessity of faith without reliance on miracles. This exchange reflects the ongoing struggle between belief and doubt, urging us to trust in God's presence without constant proof.
These readings intertwine sin and faith, cautioning against the perils of envy and the need for unwavering faith. In our lives, we are reminded to cultivate humility and trust in God's plan, avoiding the destructive path of Cain and instead embracing the faith that sees beyond the immediate. Let us reflect on our own hearts, seeking to root out envy and nurture a faith that stands firm without the need for signs.