Daily Readings - Mon Feb 06 2023
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 the beginning of creation and witness the healing power of Jesus. The first reading from Genesis recounts the first four days of creation, where God systematically brings order to chaos, creating light, separating waters, forming land, and placing the sun, moon, and stars in the sky. This narrative emphasizes God's deliberate and purposeful creation, highlighting the intrinsic goodness of His work. Each day builds upon the last, demonstrating a divine plan and harmony in the universe.
The Gospel from Mark shifts our focus to Jesus, who continues God's redemptive work. Arriving in Genesaret, Jesus is met with faith-filled people seeking healing. They bring the sick to touch even the hem of His garment, and all who do so are healed. This passage underscores Jesus' role as the bearer of God's healing grace, extending the divine order and love seen in creation into a broken world.
These readings invite us to reflect on God's ongoing work in our lives. Just as creation was brought forth with purpose, our lives are part of a larger divine plan. We are called to trust in this plan and to be instruments of healing and light. Like the people in Genesaret, we can approach Jesus with faith, seeking His touch in our own lives and extending His healing presence to others. May we embrace our role in continuing God's work, bringing order and grace to a world in need.