Daily Readings - Mon Feb 10 2025
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 encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on God’s creative power and His enduring care for humanity. The first reading from Genesis describes the creation of the world, highlighting the order and beauty with which God brought light, land, and life into being. This passage reminds us that creation is not random but intentional, a reflection of God’s wisdom and love. The second reading from Mark’s Gospel shifts our focus to Jesus, who continues God’s work of restoration by healing the sick and the suffering in the region of Genesaret. The people’s faith and persistence in seeking Jesus’ touch demonstrate the profound connection between human need and divine compassion.
These readings are deeply connected, as they both reveal God’s desire to bring wholeness and life to His creation. In Genesis, we see God forming the world with precision and purpose, while in Mark, we witness Jesus, the Son of God, extending that same creative power to heal and restore. Together, they remind us that God’s work is not limited to the beginning of time but continues in every moment through His Son. Just as the people of Genesaret sought Jesus’ healing touch, we too can approach Him with faith, trusting that He desires to bring light and life to our darkest and most broken places.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us remember that we are part of God’s ongoing creation. Each day, we are called to cooperate with His plan, bringing order to chaos and hope to despair. Just as the people in the Gospel carried their sick to Jesus, we can carry our burdens, our fears, and our doubts to Him, confident in His power to heal and transform. May we, like the creation story, see the goodness of God in all things and, like the healed in Mark’s Gospel, experience His touch that restores us to fullness of life. Let us trust in God’s providence and allow His light to shine through us, even in the darkest corners of our world.