Daily Readings - Tue Feb 14 2023
Genesis
5The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.6The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.7So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth-men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air-for I am grieved that I have made them."8But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
1The LORD then said to Noah, "Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.2Take with you seven of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate, and two of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate,3and also seven of every kind of bird, male and female, to keep their various kinds alive throughout the earth.4Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made."5And Noah did all that the LORD commanded him.10And after the seven days the floodwaters came on the earth.
Mark
14The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat.15"Be careful," Jesus warned them. "Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod."16They discussed this with one another and said, "It is because we have no bread."17Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: "Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened?18Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don't you remember?19When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?Twelve," they replied.20"And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?" They answered, "Seven."21He said to them, "Do you still not understand?"
Sermon
The first reading from Genesis presents a somber scene of God’s sorrow over humanity’s corruption. The text describes how the wickedness of humanity grieved God’s heart, leading Him to decide to send a flood to cleanse the earth. Yet, amidst this judgment, Noah stands out as a righteous man who finds grace in God’s eyes. The passage then details God’s instructions to Noah to build an ark and save himself, his family, and representatives of every living creature. This narrative sets the stage for a story of destruction and salvation, highlighting the tension between God’s justice and His mercy.
The Gospel reading from Mark shifts the focus to Jesus’ interaction with His disciples. After forgetting to bring bread, the disciples begin to worry, and Jesus uses this moment to warn them against the “leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” This metaphor refers to the corrupting influence of hypocrisy and worldly power. Jesus then reminds the disciples of the miracles of the loaves—the feeding of the 5,000 and the 4,000—questioning why they still fail to understand the deeper spiritual reality at work. This exchange reveals the disciples’ spiritual blindness and Jesus’ patient yet persistent call to faith.
Both readings invite us to reflect on trust and perception. In Genesis, Noah’s obedience to God’s command, despite the enormity of the task, exemplifies unwavering faith in the face of uncertainty. Similarly, in Mark, Jesus calls the disciples—and us—to look beyond the surface of things and to trust in God’s providence. In our daily lives, we often face moments of doubt or confusion, but these readings remind us to remain vigilant against the “leaven” of sin and to trust in God’s plan, even when the path ahead seems unclear. Let us strive to deepen our faith, just as Noah trusted God’s Word, and to see beyond the physical to the spiritual realities that truly sustain us.