First Reading - Genesis 4:1-15,25
Gospel - Mark 8:11-13
The first reading recounts the spiral effects of sin; sin begets sin. The story of Cain and Abel could be anchored in the ancient historical conflict that arose between the shepherds and the farmers. However, the biblical account has spiritual connotations as well. The feeling of envy stirs Cain to kill his own brother, or rather, one sin incites another. The feeling of envy in Cain could have been sublimated positively—to accept the situation, appreciate his brother, and strive to do better. Cain entertains his envy and takes revenge on his brother for the rejection of his offering by God. This passage invites us to keep a close watch on our negative emotions because they could lead us to grave and serious consequences, like Cain. This happens with Cain because he was ill-disposed to God, as God also warned him in the passage to correct his disposition of heart (to tame his negative emotions) before he intended to kill his own brother.
In the Gospel, today we hear about the demands of the Pharisees from Jesus for a sign. What the Pharisees wanted was not another healing, exorcism, feeding, or subjugation of nature but a "sign from heaven"—an apocalyptic manifestation that would prove beyond all doubt that Jesus had God's approval. In other words, the Pharisees wanted God to vindicate Jesus before they would accept him. Jesus' refusal to provide a sign is quite in keeping with his initial call to "believe the good news" (Mark 1:15). What Jesus showed by this is that commitment (faith in him) must be a voluntary act rather than faith rising from an irrefutable sign, which would be compulsion.
Dear friends, our faith in Jesus is to be a voluntary act rather than arising from any compulsion or fear. Our faith should emanate from our love for Jesus. At times, we encounter doubts and questions about our faith in God and persist in them. The doubts and questions are reasonable, but they should not become a reason to demand a sign to believe in God. Rather, having an attitude of placing ourselves at the feet of God for wisdom or divine light to enlighten us will certainly do us good.
The Pharisees had irresistible doubts, but not to believe in him—rather, to find fault with Jesus. Many people come across doubts in their faith due to tragic incidents in their lives, excessive one-sided scientific exploration, or social conditions. Our doubts are inevitable in such situations, but our perspectives toward them shouldn't be one-sided—only to find fault, but rather to be enlightened. Through the first reading, we can learn that a well-disposed heart can overcome negative emotions and accept situations as they are. Our well-disposed heart to God is guided by the wisdom of God. We need wisdom from God to be strong in our belief in Him. Let us strive for this wisdom to always remain firm in faith.
.jpeg)
0 Comments