Daily Readings - Thu Feb 11 2021
Genesis
18The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."19Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.20So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found.21So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh.22Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.23The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman, 'for she was taken out of man."24For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.25The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
Mark
24Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret.25In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at his feet.26The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.27"First let the children eat all they want," he told her, "for it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."28"Yes, Lord," she replied, "but even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs."29Then he told her, "For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter."30She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of relationship, trust, and God’s providence. In the first reading from Genesis, we hear the story of the creation of Eve, the first woman, as a companion for Adam. This passage emphasizes the beauty of human relationship and the complementarity of man and woman, created in the image and likeness of God. It also highlights the importance of partnership and mutual support in human life. The account of Adam and Eve reminds us that we are not meant to be alone but to live in communion with others, reflecting the communal nature of God Himself.
In the Gospel, we encounter a very different kind of relationship—that between Jesus and a Gentile woman from Syro-Phoenicia. This woman, desperate to save her daughter from a demon, approaches Jesus with persistence and humility. Despite initial hesitation from Jesus, her faith and trust in His power prevail, and her daughter is healed. This story shows us that God’s love is not limited to one group of people but extends to all, and it challenges us to have the same kind of bold and trusting faith in God’s providence, even when the odds seem against us.
Both readings remind us of the importance of relationships and trust in our lives. Just as Adam found a helper in Eve, and just as the Syro-Phoenician woman trusted in Jesus’ power, we too are called to cultivate relationships of love and support, and to place our trust in God’s plan for us. In a world that often values independence and self-reliance, these readings invite us to embrace our need for one another and to approach God with humility and perseverance. Let us ask for the grace to trust in God’s goodness and to build relationships that reflect His love and care for all people.