Daily Readings - Mon Feb 11 2019
Genesis
1In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.2Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.3And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.4God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.5God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning-the first day.6And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water."7So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so.8God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning-the second day.9And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so.10God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good.11Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so.12The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.13And there was evening, and there was morning-the third day.14And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years,15and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so.16God made two great lights-the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.17God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth,18to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good.19And there was evening, and there was morning-the fourth day.
Mark
53When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there.54As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus.55They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.56And wherever he went--into villages, towns or countryside--they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through two profound moments in Scripture: the creation of the world and the healing ministry of Jesus. The first reading from Genesis 1:1-19 presents the majestic account of God bringing order to chaos, creating light, separating waters, and bringing forth life. This passage reminds us of God's power and intentionality in creation, establishing the foundation of our faith. The Gospel from Mark 6:53-56 shifts our focus to Jesus, who, through compassionate touch, heals the sick. This passage highlights Jesus' role as a healer, emphasizing His care for the afflicted and the faith of those seeking His touch.
These readings, though separated by time, are connected by the theme of God's transformative power. In Genesis, God transforms chaos into a vibrant world, while in Mark, Jesus transforms suffering into health. Both narratives illustrate God's desire to bring wholeness and life to His creation. This connection invites us to reflect on how God's creative and redemptive work continues in our lives today.
Applying these readings to our daily lives, we are reminded to trust in God's providence and seek His presence in our needs. Just as the people in Mark sought Jesus for healing, we can approach God with faith, trusting in His care. Let us recognize God's hand in creation and in our personal journeys, seeking His touch to bring light and healing to our lives. May we, like those healed by Jesus, embrace the transformative power of God with gratitude and faith.