Readings: Genesis 1:1-19, Ps. 104:1-2,5-6,10,12,24,35, Mark 6:53-56
“And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.” (Mark 6:56)
- Our first reading today takes us to the beginning. It tells us how God, being good, created a good universe. At each step of creation, God himself assessed what he had made and expressed satisfaction. You may ask, “Who took records while God created the heavens and the earth?” Like many parts of the Bible, the creation story is a divine revelation. Far from being a journalist’s report, it is a theology of God’s supremacy over creation.
- Today’s first reading presents some important points: God is the unmoved mover; He existed before the world came to be and set creation in motion. Therefore, the sun, moon, stars, earth, trees, rivers, etc., are not gods to be worshipped. God created the world with purpose and order (creation is intelligent). For instance, it is not by chance that the sun rises in the morning and sets in the evening. God is responsible for the movement of the planetary bodies. Furthermore, God had a good intention for creating the world; He made a perfect universe.
- However, our Gospel passage paints a starkly different reality. It tells of a world full of sick people, people ready to do anything to get a glimpse of Jesus and to obtain healing. Since the world was good at creation, it means that along the line, something went wrong—the good man and the good woman God created made a bad choice. As we continue our journey through the Book of Genesis, we see how freedom, despite being a good thing, brings us death when misused.
- The Good News is that God did not abandon us to our fate. In Jesus, God restores us to His original plan of creation. Hence, at the beginning of His ministry, Jesus said: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18-19).
- Just as many came from various towns and villages, bringing their sick to Jesus for healing, we must make every effort to get closer to God, obey his word, and live according to His instructions. The more we try to touch Jesus (the more we allow the light of Christ to shine through us), the more we are healed and restored to our original goodness. The healing power at work in Jesus Christ when he walked on earth thousands of years ago is still available today. Only believe. Jesus said: “All things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23).
- Today, we celebrate Saint Scholastica. She was born around 480 AD into a prosperous family in Nursia, central Italy, during the unstable times following the fall of the Western Roman Empire. She and her brother Benedict, likely twins, are celebrated as the mother and father of Western monasticism. Scholastica committed herself to God's service from a young age, choosing a simple life despite her family's wealth. Inspired by Benedict's decision to live as a hermit and later establish a monastery with a new monastic rule, she sought his guidance. With the local bishop's approval, she joined a community of virginal women who adopted Benedict's principles, and Benedict appointed her as their abbess.
- Although Scholastica’s convent was just a few miles from Benedict’s monastery, they only met once a year to adhere to their strict routines. During these annual meetings, they engaged in deep spiritual conversations. Around the age of sixty-three, they had their final earthly meeting. They spent the day praising God and discussing spiritual matters. After a simple dinner, Benedict informed Scholastica that he and his companions needed to return to the monastery. Scholastica pleaded with him to stay to continue their discussions, but Benedict responded that he couldn't leave his cell.
- Scholastica prayed, and a powerful lightning storm prevented Benedict and his brothers from leaving. The next day, they parted ways, and three days later, Benedict had a vision of Scholastica’s soul ascending to Heaven like a dove. He arranged for her body to be buried in the monastery grave intended for him.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, cleanse and free us of all impurities and sicknesses. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Saint Scholastica, Virgin Liturgical Colour: White. Bible Study: Genesis 1:1-19, Ps. 104:1-2,5-6,10,12,24,35, Mark 6:53-56).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu