Daily Readings - Tue Feb 18 2025
Genesis
5And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.6And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.7And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.8But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
1And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.2Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.3Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth.4For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth.5And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him.10And it came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth.
Mark
14Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.15And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.16And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread.17And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?18Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?19When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.20And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.21And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on faith and trust in God. The first reading from Genesis recounts the story of Noah, a man who, amidst a world consumed by wickedness, found grace in the eyes of God. Noah's obedience to God's command to build the ark, despite the impending judgment, highlights his unwavering faith. This story serves as a reminder of God's justice and mercy, where salvation is offered to those who trust in Him.
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus cautions His disciples against the "leaven of the Pharisees and Herod," symbolizing the corrupting influence of hypocrisy and worldly power. When the disciples worry about their lack of bread, Jesus reminds them of the miracles where He fed thousands, emphasizing that their focus should be on spiritual nourishment rather than material concerns. This teaches us to trust in God's provision and not be swayed by earthly anxieties.
These readings connect through the theme of trust and faith. Noah's story shows salvation through obedience, while Jesus' lesson urges us to seek spiritual fulfillment. In our daily lives, we are called to trust God, especially in uncertain times, remembering that true security lies in Him. Like Noah, our faith can lead us to safety, and like the disciples, we should focus on spiritual growth over material needs. Let us reflect on cultivating trust in God, knowing His grace and provision are always present.