Daily Readings - Tue Feb 18 2025
Genesis
5Then God, seeing that the wickedness of men was great upon the earth and that every thought of their heart was intent upon evil at all times6repented that he had made man on the earth. And being touched inwardly with a sorrow of heart7he said, "I will eliminate man, whom I have created, from the face of the earth, from man to other living things, from animals even to the flying things of the air. For it grieves me that I have made them.8Yet truly, Noah found grace before the Lord
1And the Lord said to him: "Enter the ark, you and all your house. For I have seen you to be just in my sight, within this generation2From all the clean animals, take seven and seven, the male and the female. Yet truly, from animals that are unclean, take two and two, the male and the female3But also from the birds of the air, take seven and seven, the male and the female, so that offspring may be saved upon the face of the whole earth4For from that point, and after seven days, I will rain upon the earth for forty days and forty nights. And I will wipe away every substance that I have made, from the surface of the earth.5Therefore, Noah did all things just as the Lord had commanded him10And when seven days had passed, the waters of the great flood inundated the earth
Mark
14And they forgot to take bread. And they did not have any with them in the boat, except one loaf15And he instructed them, saying: "Consider and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the leaven of Herod.16And they discussed this with one another, saying, "For we have no bread.17And Jesus, knowing this, said to them: "Why do you consider that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet know or understand? Do you still have blindness in your heart18Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? Do you not remember19when I broke the five loves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments you took up?" They said to him, "Twelve.20"And when the seven loaves were among the four thousand, how many baskets of fragments did you take up?" And they said to him, "Seven.21And he said to them, "How is it that you do not yet understand?
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on faith and trust in God. The first reading from Genesis recounts the story of Noah, a man who, amidst a world consumed by wickedness, found grace in the eyes of God. Noah's obedience to God's command to build the ark, despite the impending judgment, highlights his unwavering faith. This story serves as a reminder of God's justice and mercy, where salvation is offered to those who trust in Him.
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus cautions His disciples against the "leaven of the Pharisees and Herod," symbolizing the corrupting influence of hypocrisy and worldly power. When the disciples worry about their lack of bread, Jesus reminds them of the miracles where He fed thousands, emphasizing that their focus should be on spiritual nourishment rather than material concerns. This teaches us to trust in God's provision and not be swayed by earthly anxieties.
These readings connect through the theme of trust and faith. Noah's story shows salvation through obedience, while Jesus' lesson urges us to seek spiritual fulfillment. In our daily lives, we are called to trust God, especially in uncertain times, remembering that true security lies in Him. Like Noah, our faith can lead us to safety, and like the disciples, we should focus on spiritual growth over material needs. Let us reflect on cultivating trust in God, knowing His grace and provision are always present.