Daily Readings - Sun Feb 18 2018
Genesis
8Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him,9"Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you,10and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark; it is for every beast of the earth.11I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth."12And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations:13I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.14When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds,15I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.
1 Peter
18For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,19in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison,20because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.21Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,22who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
Mark
12The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.13And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.14Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God,15and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on God's covenant of mercy and our response to His call. In Genesis, we hear the story of Noah, where God establishes a covenant, promising never again to destroy the earth with a flood. The rainbow becomes a symbol of this promise, a reminder of God's faithfulness and mercy. This story underscores the theme of trust in God's plan, even in the face of uncertainty.
In the second reading from 1 Peter, we see how this ancient story of salvation is linked to our own through baptism. Just as the ark saved Noah and his family from the flood, baptism saves us from sin, not through our own efforts, but through the power of Christ's resurrection. This reading emphasizes the spiritual renewal we receive in baptism, calling us to live with a clear conscience and trust in God's promises.
The Gospel from Mark shows Jesus, immediately after His baptism, being led into the wilderness to face temptation. This period of testing prepares Him for His mission, demonstrating His trust in God's plan. Like Jesus, we are called to trust in God's providence, especially during challenging times. As we journey through our own wilderness experiences, may we, like Jesus, emerge strengthened and ready to proclaim the Good News of God's kingdom.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to face challenges with faith, trusting in God's plan and mercy. Just as Noah trusted God's instructions to build the ark and Jesus trusted His Father during temptation, we too can trust in God's faithfulness. Let us live with the assurance of God's covenant, renewed in us through baptism, and respond to His call with repentance and belief. May we, like Jesus, be bearers of the Good News, living with mercy and trust in God's eternal promises.