Daily Readings - Mon Feb 15 2021
Genesis
1And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.2And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.3And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.4And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:5But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.6And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?7If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.8And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.9And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?10And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.11And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;12When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.13And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.14Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.15And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.25And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.
Mark
11And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.12And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.13And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side.
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore themes of faith, trust, and the consequences of their absence. The first reading from Genesis recounts the tragic story of Cain and Abel, where Cain's jealousy leads to Abel's murder. This narrative, set in the early chapters of Genesis, highlights the devastating consequences of sin and the origins of human violence. Cain's actions stem from his own lack of faith and misunderstanding of God's expectations, resulting in his exile and a life of wandering.
The Gospel reading from Mark presents a different yet related scenario. The Pharisees, seeking a sign from heaven, approach Jesus with skepticism. Jesus' refusal to provide a sign underscores the importance of faith without requiring proof. This encounter reflects the ongoing tension between belief and doubt, as Jesus challenges the Pharisees to trust in God's plan without visible confirmation.
Both readings converge on the theme of faith and trust in God. Cain's story warns against the dangers of jealousy and unbelief, while Jesus' encounter with the Pharisees emphasizes the necessity of trusting God without needing signs. The birth of Seth in Genesis offers a message of hope, illustrating God's continued plan despite humanity's failings.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to trust in God's providence without demanding signs or miracles. They remind us to avoid the pitfalls of jealousy and to embrace faith as a foundation for our actions. The moral lesson is clear: faith and trust in God are essential, and their absence can lead to negative consequences. Let us strive to cultivate a deep trust in God, finding hope in His plan even amidst challenges.