Daily Readings - Mon Feb 17 2025
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
The readings today guide us through themes of sin, faith, and their profound consequences. In Genesis, we witness the tragic tale of Cain and Abel, where jealousy and anger lead to the first murder. Cain's offerings, born from resentment, are rejected by God, while Abel's sincere offerings are favored. This ancient story highlights the destructive power of envy and the importance of humility. Cain's punishment as a wanderer, yet protected by God's mark, reminds us of sin's consequences and God's enduring mercy.
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus confronts the Pharisees' demand for a sign, a test of his divinity. Jesus' refusal to provide a sign underscores the necessity of faith without reliance on miracles. This exchange reflects the ongoing struggle between belief and doubt, urging us to trust in God's presence without constant proof.
These readings intertwine sin and faith, cautioning against the perils of envy and the need for unwavering faith. In our lives, we are reminded to cultivate humility and trust in God's plan, avoiding the destructive path of Cain and instead embracing the faith that sees beyond the immediate. Let us reflect on our own hearts, seeking to root out envy and nurture a faith that stands firm without the need for signs.