June 9
Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.”
Readings
Reflection
In our readings this weekend, we experience the story of the fall of mankind. When Adam and Eve are tempted by the Serpent, they show their lack of trust in God when they believe the lies of the devil and eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which was forbidden for them.
All is not lost, though, because we hear from God that there will be enmity between the offspring of the woman and the snake, or Satan. That woman winds up being none other than Mary, and that offspring winds up being none other than Jesus. The casting out from Paradise that took place in the beginning would be undone through the salvific actions of Jesus who obediently went to the cross for the sole purpose of undoing what was done by the disobedience of Adam and Eve.
The reading from Second Corinthians and the Gospel of Mark continue the story of salvation through the obedience of Jesus. Paul tells us that, while we are physically wearing away, there is a spiritual component to our existence that is being renewed through the faith we have in Jesus. The Gospel speaks to the influence of Satan, in this case, when Jesus’ relatives and the Scribes think that he is possessed by him. Yet Jesus continues the ministry he started- a ministry that will ultimately lead us to salvation.
We do live in a fallen world, a place where evil and sin exist around every corner. The damage done by Adam and Eve is still evident in the fallen nature of many people who are greedy, angry and hateful. But we who are followers of Jesus are what he has called “the light of the world.” He tells us today that “whoever does the will of God is his brother, sister and mother.” What is God’s will for us? Simply that we trust in the work that Jesus did on the cross and show that trust in our actions in the world. If we are kind, if we are gentle, if we are faithful, then people will see and give glory to God. Let us trust in the truth and obedience of Jesus.
Peace,
Deacon Dare
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