Even as Christians trying our best to live out the Gospel values in our lives we sometimes fall enter into sin. If we do nothing and allow our sinfulness to fester, it will eventually spread to other areas of our lives and take control. This happens even if we are convinced that we did nothing terribly wrong and feel no guilt or shame. Though many will have retain some control and not fall into great wickedness through evil deeds that leads to destruction; the greatest travesty is losing the Lord our God’s presence in our lives. What about the unbelievers then? Whom can they turn to? Who can help them out of the darkness they live in?
That is why we should never forget the gift of our baptism. How we were cleansed, purified and set free to live as God our Father’s children. And as His beloved children we entered into a deep personal relationship with God our Heavenly Father, through His Son our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who reconciles us all unto Him. How many then have we led to the waters of baptism? How many have we helped enter into sonship and daughterhood with our ever loving Father in Heaven? How many are we journeying with and leading into the Ark of the eternal covenant? So that they too will experience the peace, love and joy of living in His presence this day and for all eternity.
We are also reminded this day to be wary of anyone who preaches a different Gospel from that of our Lord Jesus. And to those who modify and create perverse traditions that leads people further from the truth to be found in Christ alone. Importantly in this trying times of the pandemic, let also not fall into some form of ‘sanitised’ spirituality. Where we live in fear of touching someone who needs to be touched or held. Where we do nothing for the sick, the homeless and the poor. Where we forget about those who are deprived of the Sacraments for longer than necessary? We can do so much more with all precautionary measures taken and put in place but fail to do so because it is too much of a hassle!
My Lord and my God, grant us the wisdom and grace to build a bigger Ark, so that we can courageously lead more into Your presence and loving embrace. Amen
First reading
Genesis 6:5-8,7:1-5,10
Noah’s Ark
The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that the thoughts in his heart fashioned nothing but wickedness all day long. The Lord regretted having made man on the earth, and his heart grieved. ‘I will rid the earth’s face of man, my own creation,’ the Lord said ‘and of animals also, reptiles too, and the birds of heaven; for I regret having made them.’ But Noah had found favour with the Lord.
The Lord said to Noah, ‘Go aboard the ark, you and all your household, for you alone among this generation do I see as a good man in my judgement. Of all the clean animals you must take seven of each kind, both male and female; of the unclean animals you must take two, a male and its female (and of the birds of heaven also, seven of each kind, both male and female), to propagate their kind over the whole earth. For in seven days’ time I mean to make it rain on the earth for forty days and nights, and I will rid the earth of every living thing that I made.’ Noah did all that the Lord ordered.
Seven days later the waters of the flood appeared on the earth.
Gospel
Mark 8:14-21
Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod
The disciples had forgotten to take any food and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Then he gave them this warning, ‘Keep your eyes open; be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.’ And they said to one another, ‘It is because we have no bread.’ And Jesus knew it, and he said to them, ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you not yet understand? Have you no perception? Are your minds closed? Have you eyes that do not see, ears that do not hear? Or do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of scraps did you collect?’ They answered, ‘Twelve.’ ‘And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many baskets full of scraps did you collect?’ And they answered, ‘Seven.’ Then he said to them, ‘Are you still without perception?’
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