Tuesday of Sixth week in Ordinary Time, Genesis 6:5-8. 7:1-5. Psalm 29. Mark 8:14-21

Scripture: Genesis 6:5-8;&;1-5. Psalm 29. Mark 8:14-21:

Yesterday's theme of the good and evil inclination is continued today. We
see the evil inclination is so strong that almost all of humanity fails and
we hear that God was sorry for having made human beings on earth. Noah,
following the good inclinations of his heart, pleases God and becomes a
beacon of hope for us. He is rewarded with the symbol of the rainbow and
the dove with the olive branch--signs of God's merciful covenant of peace
with a restored fallen human race. Some people may not like the term
"original sin" --- there is nothing original about it! but it does cover
what these first chapters of Genesis are all about. Take it scripturally or
doctrinally and you wind up with the same thing. We have a strong
inclination for both good and bad and the bad wins out often enough.
Today's Psalm response (Psalm 29: 11). This is the last verse of the Psalm
and reads," The Lord will give strength to his people. The Lord will bless
his people with peace." The Jewish Commentary in the Soncino collection on
the Psalms has this to say about the verse: "Not only is the infinite might
of God called to mind by such an experience, but also his graciousness.
The symphony which had swelled to an ear shattering crescendo ends in the
softest pianissimo." (Soncino, Psalms, p.84). As we turn our reflections to
the Gospel of Mark we learn about Jesus the teacher who is forming his
disciples or followers. He banters them with a volley of questions about
the bread miracle in the desert and thereby slowly helps them to grow in
their understanding of how he is and how they are to follow him in his
words and deeds. This series of questions may seem redundant to us and
even comical when we hear them pleased with their feeble answers, but this
group really needs such primal formation. They had no self-development
personal plans in those days! Jesus lifts them and us from our sensual
perceptions about what the bread miracle is all about. As an excellent
teacher he realizes that they and we have to start with the five senses
before he can enlighten us in mind, heart, and will. As a good teacher he
knows how to ask questions which will help the disciples and us to grow and
to draw out from our senusal experiences lessons in the life of the spirit.
This stimulates us to go further in our learning about Jesus and helps us
on our daily journey with him. May we be attentive and good disciples
today. Amen.