Daily Readings - Fri Feb 12 2021
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
In today's readings, we reflect on the journey from separation to healing. The first reading from Genesis recounts the story of Adam and Eve, where temptation leads to the first sin, resulting in their awareness of nakedness and hiding from God. This narrative underscores the introduction of sin into humanity, highlighting our vulnerability and the consequences of disobedience.
The Gospel from Mark presents a stark contrast with the story of Jesus healing a deaf and mute man. Through compassionate and intimate gestures, Jesus restores the man's senses and speech, exemplifying His divine power and mercy. This miracle not only heals the physical ailment but also serves as a spiritual metaphor, illustrating Jesus' ability to heal the rift caused by sin.
These readings invite us to consider our own journey. Just as Adam and Eve faced temptation, we encounter challenges that test our faith. Yet, in Jesus, we find the promise of redemption and healing. Let us approach life with faith, trusting in God's power to transform our weaknesses into strengths. May we, like the healed man, proclaim God's goodness, living as witnesses to His grace and mercy.