Daily Catholic Mass Readings for February 19, 2025
First Reading: Genesis 8.6-13, 20-22
6After forty days Noah opened the window he had made in the ark7and sent out a raven, and it kept flying back and forth until the water had dried up from the earth.8Then he sent out a dove to see if the water had receded from the surface of the ground.9But the dove could find no place to set its feet because there was water over all the surface of the earth; so it returned to Noah in the ark. He reached out his hand and took the dove and brought it back to himself in the ark.10He waited seven more days and again sent out the dove from the ark.11When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth.12He waited seven more days and sent the dove out again, but this time it did not return to him.13By the first day of the first month of Noah's six hundred and first year, the water had dried up from the earth. Noah then removed the covering from the ark and saw that the surface of the ground was dry.20Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it.21The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: "Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.22"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease."
Psalm 116
1I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.2Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.3The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.4Then I called on the name of the LORD: "O LORD, save me!"5The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.6The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.7Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.8For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling,9that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.10I believed; therefore I said, "I am greatly afflicted."11And in my dismay I said, "All men are liars."12How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me?13I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.14I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.15Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.16O LORD, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant; you have freed me from my chains.17I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD.18I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,19in the courts of the house of the LORD - in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD.
Gospel: Mark 8.22-26
22They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him.23He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?"24He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around."25Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.26Jesus sent him home, saying, "Don't go into the village. "
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on trust, patience, and the gradual unfolding of God's plan. The first reading from Genesis describes Noah's experience after the flood, where he waits patiently for the waters to recede. Noah's actions—sending out the raven and the dove—demonstrate his trust in God's promise. The dove's return with an olive branch is a symbol of hope and new life, leading Noah to build an altar and offer sacrifices in gratitude. This passage reminds us of the importance of patience and trust in God's timing, even in uncertain circumstances.
The Gospel from Mark complements this theme with the story of the blind man healed by Jesus in Bethsaida. The healing is not instantaneous; it happens in stages. Jesus touches the man's eyes twice, and only after the second touch does the man see clearly. This narrative suggests that spiritual growth and healing can be gradual processes. Just as the blind man had to trust Jesus through the process, we too are called to trust in God's plan, even when the results are not immediate or clear.
These readings encourage us to embrace patience and trust in our own lives. Like Noah, we may find ourselves in situations where we must wait for clarity or resolution. Like the blind man, we may experience growth in stages, with moments of partial understanding before full clarity comes. Let us learn to trust in God's timing and to remain faithful, even when the journey is slow or uncertain. In doing so, we open ourselves to the hope of new life and the promise of eventual clarity, just as Noah and the blind man experienced.