6th Week in Ordinary Time
15th February 2023 (Wednesday) Readings and Reflection
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Reading of the Day
First Reading: Genesis 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10
The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the Lord said, "I will blot out man whom have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them." But Noah found favour in the eyes of the Lord. Then the Lord said to Noah, "Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation. Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and his mate, and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and his mate, and seven pairs of the birds of the heavens also, male and female, to keep their offspring alive on the face of all the earth. For in seven days I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and every living thing that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground."And Noah did all that the Lord had commanded him. And after seven days the waters of the flood came upon the earth.
Psalm 29:1a and 2, 3ac-4, 3b and 9c-10 (R. 11b)
R/. The Lord will bless his people with peace.
Gospel : Mark 8:14-21
At that time: The disciples had forgotten to bring bread and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And Jesus cautioned them, saying, "Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." And they began discussing with one another, the fact that they had no bread. And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" They said to him, "Twelve." "And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" And they said to him, "Seven." And he said to them, "Do you not yet understand?
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: Get rid of blindness!
Indicative: In life, all of us suffer from some degree of blindness. Often we do not see God or others or our own self with clear sight. We need healing from Jesus{alertSuccess}
1. Life becomes meaningful when there is Progress, change, and renewal. And these can be lasting when it is a steady and gradual process. The subsiding of the flood in the time of Noah was a gradual and steady process. It took time.
2. The healing of the blind man in the gospel was again a gradational process. From the state of total blindness, he came to be partially blind when he could “see people looking like trees and walking”. Then he became fully sighted when he could “see everything distinctly”.
3. Many questions may remain unanswered such as why Jesus led him outside the village. Why he did not heal at a stretch but in a second phase or attempt? Why did he order the healed blind man not to go into the village? et cetera. These may not be unimportant. However, we need not make speculations
4. But we can draw some plausible lessons and indications. One lesson is, that our recovery and restoration is a process that must be progressive and gradational. We need not expect a sudden and total change all of a sudden and at one shot.
5. The fact that Jesus took him outside the village before the healing and he told him not to go into the village after the healing shows a dissociation from the village. This may indicate that Jesus did not want the blind man to be unnecessarily disturbed or distracted by others.
6. Whether before or after the healing, the presence of others may create a situation of needless discussions or apprehensions, or judgments. This can take away the main focus on healing. Dissociation from such a situation can make the blind man more focused on his blindness and on God’s compassion that restores his sight
7. Being away from the people can also avoid all the clamour and glamour of applause and popularity at the healing. What is important is not that the people sing his laurels but the blindness is removed. There is no self-seeking glory.
8. Further, all the simple details in the healing episode indicate the personal touch and concern of the Lord. He took the blind man by the hand. He led him outside the village. He put spittle on his eyes. He laid his hands on the man. Then he laid his hands on the man’s eyes a second time. He restored sight to him. Then he sent him home.
9. Let us take note of blindness, whether total or partial. At times we may be totally blind, filled with egoism or indifference. We may fail to see God, others, and our own selves. At other times, we may be partially blind by prejudices and lack of clarity. We may misjudge and misinterpret others.
Imperative: Often, we are blind. We do not see God and good. We do not see God as our liberator and restorer. We do not see others with a fraternal eye. We do not see ourselves honestly. We need to regain our sight{alertSuccess}