Daily Readings - Thu Feb 21 2019
Genesis
1Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.2The fear and dread of you will fall upon all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air, upon every creature that moves along the ground, and upon all the fish of the sea; they are given into your hands.3Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.4"But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it.5And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each man, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man.6"Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.7As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it."8Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him:9"I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you10and with every living creature that was with you-the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you-every living creature on earth.11I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth."12And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come:13I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.
Mark
27Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?"28They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets."29"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ. "30Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.31He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.32He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.33But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments in the history of God's relationship with humanity. The first reading from Genesis describes the covenant God establishes with Noah after the flood, a promise of renewal and protection, symbolized by the rainbow. This covenant extends not just to Noah and his family but to all living creatures, emphasizing God's universal care and the sacredness of life. The Gospel reading from Mark presents a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, where he reveals his identity as the Christ and begins to teach his disciples about the necessity of his suffering, death, and resurrection. Peter's reaction and Jesus' rebuke highlight the tension between human understanding and divine will.
The context of these readings reveals God's enduring commitment to humanity. In Genesis, the flood represents a reset, a fresh start, with God pledging never again to destroy the earth in such a way. This covenant is a testament to God's mercy and faithfulness. In Mark, Jesus' conversation with his disciples marks a turning point, as he shifts from his public ministry to preparing his followers for the reality of his mission. Peter's resistance to the idea of suffering reflects our own struggles to accept the cross in our lives.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God and our willingness to embrace His plan. Like Noah, we are called to trust in God's promises, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. Like Peter, we may resist the idea of sacrifice, but Jesus reminds us that true discipleship requires taking up our cross and following Him. In our daily lives, this means aligning our will with God's, even when it challenges our desires or comforts. The moral lesson here is clear: to live as children of God, we must embrace both the beauty of His promises and the demands of His call.