Daily Readings - Wed Feb 10 2021
Genesis
4These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens.5When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up--for the LORD God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground,6and a mist was going up from the land and was watering the whole face of the ground--7then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.8And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed.9And out of the ground the LORD God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.15The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.16And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "You may surely eat of every tree of the garden,17but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."
Mark
14And he called the people to him again and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand:15There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him."16See Footnote17And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable.18And he said to them, "Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him,19since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?" (Thus he declared all foods clean.)20And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him.21For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,22coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.23All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore the theme of purity, both in creation and in our inner lives. The first reading from Genesis recounts the creation of humanity and the Garden of Eden, highlighting the pristine state of purity and harmony God intended for us. This passage reminds us of our special role as stewards of creation and the gift of free will, which brings both privilege and responsibility.
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus shifts the focus from external purity to internal purity. He teaches that it is not what enters our bodies that defiles us, but the evils that come from our hearts. This challenges us to look inward, recognizing that true purity is a matter of the heart, not just adherence to rules or rituals. Jesus lists various evils that emerge from within, such as greed, deceit, and envy, emphasizing that these are what truly corrupt us.
As we reflect on these readings, we are called to examine our own hearts and actions. In a world often focused on external appearances, Jesus reminds us that true holiness begins within. Let us strive to cultivate virtues like love, compassion, and humility, allowing these to guide our actions and decisions. By focusing on inner purity, we can live more authentically as children of God, reflecting His love in all we do.