Daily Readings - Fri Feb 15 2019
Genesis
1Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made.He said to the woman, "Did God actually say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?"2And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden,3but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'"4But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die.5For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."6So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.7Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.8And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.
Mark
31Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis.32And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him.33And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue.34And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened."35And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.36And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it.37And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the human condition and God's redeeming love. In Genesis, we witness the fall of humanity through Adam and Eve's disobedience, as they succumb to the serpent's temptation. This act of rebellion leads to their awareness of sin and separation from God, a state that would persist until God's plan of redemption unfolds. In Mark's Gospel, we encounter a different kind of fall—the physical and spiritual suffering of a deaf and mute man. Jesus, with compassion and divine authority, heals him, restoring his ability to hear and speak, symbolizing the restoration of humanity's relationship with God.
The connection between these readings lies in the theme of redemption and healing. The fall in Genesis represents the fracturing of humanity's bond with God, while the healing in Mark signifies the beginning of that bond's restoration through Jesus. Both stories highlight the consequences of sin and the power of God's grace to overcome them. The man's healing is not just physical but also spiritual, as it allows him to fully engage with God's Word and community.
In our daily lives, we often face our own "falls"—moments of sin, doubt, or separation from God. Yet, like the man who was healed, we are called to trust in Jesus' power to restore us. Let us approach Him with faith, acknowledging our need for healing and renewal. May we, like the man, experience the transformative power of God's grace, and may our hearts and minds be opened to His love and truth. Through this, we participate in the ongoing story of redemption, drawing closer to God and living as witnesses of His healing power.