Daily Readings - Thu Feb 13 2025
Genesis
18And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.19And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.20And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.21And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;22And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.23And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.24Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.25And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Mark
24And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid.25For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:26The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.27But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.28And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.29And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.30And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that illuminate the essence of human relationships and the boundless reach of God's grace. The first reading from Genesis recounts the creation of Eve from Adam's rib, emphasizing the divine intention for human companionship and equality. This story underscores the sacred institution of marriage as a partnership founded on mutual respect and support, reflecting God's design for humanity to thrive in unity.
The Gospel from Mark presents a contrasting yet complementary scene, where Jesus, in the region of Tyre and Sidon, engages with a Syrophoenician woman. Her persistent faith and humility lead Jesus to heal her daughter, symbolizing the expansion of His mission beyond cultural boundaries. This interaction highlights the inclusive nature of God's love, reminding us that faith can cross any divide and that humility is a powerful catalyst for grace.
These readings together teach us about the importance of valuing partnerships and trusting in God's providence. In our daily lives, we are called to nurture relationships with mutual respect and to approach challenges with the persistence and humility exemplified by the Syrophoenician woman. Let us reflect on how we can embody these virtues, fostering stronger bonds and deepening our faith, trusting that God's love and grace are always within reach.