TUESDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Mystery of the day: Sorrowful
Celebration of the day: Our Lady of Lourdes
This day marks the first apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1858 to fourteen-year old Marie Bernade (St. Bernadette) Soubirous. There were eighteen apparitions in all, the last of which was on 16 July 1858. The message of is a call to personal conversion, prayer, and charity.
Table of the Word
RI.Genesis 1:20-2:4
Resp. Psalm: Psalm 8:4-5.6-7a.7b-9 (R. 2ab)
Gospel: Mark 7:1-13
Theme: Be fruitful and multiply...
Reflection
The first reading taken from the book of Genesis 1:20-2:4, gives an account of the creation of the world as it reaches its climax. At the end of each creation He endorses with an acclamation: "good" to show its perfection.
However, what stands out in these verses is the act of God creating humanity in His image and giving them dominion over creation. This reveals both the special dignity and responsibility of humans in God's design; and above all the unfathomable love God has for humanity.
The gospel pericope presents before us Jesus' confrontation of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law over human-made traditions rather than the commandments of God (cf. Mark 7:1-13). Here Jesus challenges their legalistic approach, pointing out that they are more concerned with outward rituals than with inner purity and righteousness.
Juxtaposingly, the two readings invite us to reflect on what truly matters in our relationship with God. As the first reading shows us a world that is good and meant for flourishing, with divine mandate to go and multiply and care for all creatures in creation. The very vocation that we have failed through Climate change, Biodiversity loss, Deforestation, Water Pollution, Soil Degradation etc.
Moreover, as a result of man's insatiability, there is a paradigm shift from the realities which God entrusted to us to the shadow created by us to quench our cravings. That is why Evangelist Mark in the gospel pericope challenges us to go beyond the surface and examine whether our practices and traditions align with God’s intentions for righteousness, love, and justice.
In the light of this, that we are exhorted to be conscious of our vocation of multiplying and care for the earth and not the reverse by destructing what we cannot create.
Finally, as we enjoy the goodness of God's creation let us on our own part contribute to its care and multiplication as God commanded us. It is in doing this that we can boldly say that: we have appreciated the work of creation by God.
Peace be with you and + May the Lord bless His words in our hearts. Amen.
Let us pray
Merciful Lord, we thank You for the beauty of the creation. Grant us we pray for the grace to appreciate this handwork of yours by caring for it in our day-to-day endeavours. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
© The ARCHIVE 11022025
No comments:
Post a Comment