Readings: Genesis 2:18-25, Ps. 128:1-5, Mark 7:24-30
“For saying that, you may go. The demon has left your daughter. So, she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.” (Mark 7:29-30)
- The book of Genesis contains two slightly different creation accounts. The first creation account (Genesis 1:1-2:4) tells us that God created man and woman together. “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27). Meanwhile, the second creation account (Genesis 2:5-25) tells us that “God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh; and the rib which the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.” (Genesis 2:21-22)
- According to the first creation account, after creating man and woman together on the sixth day, “God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31). However, the second creation account suggests the woman was created as a companion and helper for the man. God said: “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” (Genesis 2:18).
- Again, the first creation account tells us that God created the world before creating humans, the last of all created things. The second creation account says that man was created first, and everything else came into being because God was looking for a companion for man. Nothing pleased the man until he saw the “bone of his bones and the flesh of his flesh.”
- God inspired both creation accounts; they are not journalists’ reports of creation. Far from revealing the details of “how” the world was made, they both seek to tell “why” the world was created. Some questions answered by the second creation account include: “Why are males sexually attracted to females? Why does marriage exist in all human societies? Why does the human family exist? Why do parents have such strong love for their children?”
- The second creation account explains why a man can fall in love with a woman he has never seen before to the extent that he is ready to die for her. It also explains why a mother (or father) is ready to sacrifice anything for their children. This is what plays out in today’s Gospel passage. Despite Jesus’ initial refusal, a woman was not prepared to take “No” for an answer regarding her daughter’s healing. A few days ago, we read how Jairus, a synagogue official, knelt before Jesus, begging on behalf of his daughter. (Mark 5:22).
- Our Gospel passage also teaches us the power of persistent faith. Prayer does not command God; it is always an appeal for His mercy. Prayer teaches us humility. The more prayerful a person is, the humbler they are. Remember that pride is gradually consuming you whenever you skip prayer. You don’t pray because you think you can survive on your own. Do you think it is by your power that you are still alive?
- Proud people don’t know how to beg. Even though they are poor and needy, they interpret everything as an insult. If you were the woman in today’s Gospel passage, what would you have done when Jesus said, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs”? Drop your pride and learn how to beg. No matter how rich and “self-sufficient” you are, you will always need something someone else has. Use prayer to practice begging. Pray until you become humble.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, may your love for us reflect our love for others. 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. (Thursday of week 5 in Ordinary Time, Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Genesis 2:18-25, Ps. 128:1-5, Mark 7:24-30).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu