Daily Readings - Wed Feb 10 2021
Genesis
4This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created. When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens-5and no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground,6but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground-7the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.8Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed.9And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground-trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.15The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.16And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden;17but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."
Mark
14Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, "Listen to me, everyone, and understand this.15Nothing outside a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean.'"16Verse omitted from the New International Version17After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable.18"Are you so dull?" he asked. "Don't you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him 'unclean'?19For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body." (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods "clean.")20He went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.'21For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,22greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.23All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.'"
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore the theme of purity, both in creation and in our inner lives. The first reading from Genesis recounts the creation of humanity and the Garden of Eden, highlighting the pristine state of purity and harmony God intended for us. This passage reminds us of our special role as stewards of creation and the gift of free will, which brings both privilege and responsibility.
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus shifts the focus from external purity to internal purity. He teaches that it is not what enters our bodies that defiles us, but the evils that come from our hearts. This challenges us to look inward, recognizing that true purity is a matter of the heart, not just adherence to rules or rituals. Jesus lists various evils that emerge from within, such as greed, deceit, and envy, emphasizing that these are what truly corrupt us.
As we reflect on these readings, we are called to examine our own hearts and actions. In a world often focused on external appearances, Jesus reminds us that true holiness begins within. Let us strive to cultivate virtues like love, compassion, and humility, allowing these to guide our actions and decisions. By focusing on inner purity, we can live more authentically as children of God, reflecting His love in all we do.