Daily Catholic Mass Readings for February 14, 2025
First Reading: Genesis 3.1-8
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.
Psalm 32
1Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.2Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.3For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.4For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah5I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah6Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him.7You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah8I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.9Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.10Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.11Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
Gospel: Mark 7.31-37
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 encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on the human condition and the divine response to our frailties. The first reading from Genesis recounts the story of Adam and Eve, where temptation leads to disobedience, resulting in their separation from God. This passage is foundational, illustrating the origin of sin and humanity's subsequent state of alienation. The second reading from Mark presents a vivid miracle where Jesus heals a deaf and mute man, restoring his ability to hear and speak. This act underscores Jesus' role as a restorer of creation, bridging the gap caused by sin.
The Genesis narrative sets the stage for understanding the human condition, marked by vulnerability to temptation and the consequences of sin. Adam and Eve's choice to eat the forbidden fruit leads to shame and hiding, symbolizing humanity's spiritual separation from God. In contrast, the Mark passage highlights Jesus' compassionate authority, demonstrating His power to heal and restore. By touching the man's ears and tongue, Jesus not only heals his physical ailments but also restores his connection to community and communication, symbolizing spiritual healing.
These readings invite us to recognize our own vulnerabilities and the need for divine grace. Just as Adam and Eve faced temptation, we too encounter challenges that test our faith. Yet, in Jesus, we find the healer who restores our spiritual hearing and speech, enabling us to communicate with God and others. The moral lesson here is the call to trust in Jesus' power to heal our sins and weaknesses. Through faith, we can overcome our spiritual deafness and muteness, allowing us to live as His disciples, speaking and acting with renewed purpose.