When the LORD saw how great was man’s wickedness on earth, and how no desire that his heart conceived was ever anything but evil, he regretted that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was grieved.
So the LORD said: “I will wipe out from the earth the men whom I have created, and not only the men, but also the beasts and the creeping things and the birds of the air, for I am sorry that I made them.” But Noah found favor with the LORD.
Then the LORD said to Noah: “Go into the ark, you and all your household, for you alone in this age have I found to be truly just. Of every clean animal, take with you seven pairs, a male and its mate; and of the unclean animals, one pair, a male and its mate; likewise, of every clean bird of the air, seven pairs, a male and a female, and of all the unclean birds, one pair, a male and a female. Thus you will keep their issue alive over all the earth. Seven days from now I will bring rain down on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and so I will wipe out from the surface of the earth every moving creature that I have made.” Noah did just as the LORD had commanded him.
As soon as the seven days were over, the waters of the flood came upon the earth.
The Word of the Lord.
***
***
“The LORD said to Noah: ‘Go into the ark, you and all your household… Noah did just as the LORD had commanded him. [Then] the waters of the flood came upon the earth.”
Noah started building his ark while it was still bright and sunny outside. Once the darkness fell and the floods came, those who were saved were the ones already inside the boat. They prepared for flood waters, even when the rain was nowhere in sight.
***
The story of Noah’s ark offers us a timeless lesson in faith:
Build it now.
***
There are moments in every person’s life when the flood waters come rushing in; when it feels like we’re going to drown.
Faith is the ark that keeps you above water.
It strengths you and protects you, just as Noah’s ark did.
***
How much effort am I putting into strengthening my faith?
***
Ash Wednesday is just a week away. Perhaps an appropriate goal this Lent is to build our ark while we can.
***
***
Image credits: (1) An Ark Mentality, Christianity Today (2) Was Noah’s Ark Real? Denison Forum (3) Noah’ Ark, World History Encyclopedia
The man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have produced a man with the help of the LORD.” Next she bore his brother Abel. Abel became a keeper of flocks, and Cain a tiller of the soil. In the course of time Cain brought an offering to the LORD from the fruit of the soil, while Abel, for his part, brought one of the best firstlings of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not. Cain greatly resented this and was crestfallen. So the LORD said to Cain: “Why are you so resentful and crestfallen. If you do well, you can hold up your head; but if not, sin is a demon lurking at the door: his urge is toward you, yet you can be his master.”
Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out in the field.” When they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the LORD asked Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” He answered, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” The LORD then said: “What have you done! Listen: your brother’s blood cries out to me from the soil! Therefore you shall be banned from the soil that opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. If you till the soil, it shall no longer give you its produce. You shall become a restless wanderer on the earth.” Cain said to the LORD: “My punishment is too great to bear. Since you have now banished me from the soil, and I must avoid your presence and become a restless wanderer on the earth, anyone may kill me at sight.” “Not so!” the LORD said to him. “If anyone kills Cain, Cain shall be avenged sevenfold.” So the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest anyone should kill him at sight.
Adam again had relations with his wife, and she gave birth to a son whom she called Seth. “God has granted me more offspring in place of Abel,” she said, “because Cain slew him.”
The Word of the Lord.
***
***
Auto-immune diseases – such as type-1 diabetes and arthritis – confuse the body’s natural defense system, so that the body can no longer tell the difference between a healthy and an unhealthy cell.
Normal cells become mistaken for a threat, so the body begins attacking itself.
***
In our first reading from the Book of Genesis, Cain asks God the first question ever posed by human beings, which comes after murdering his brother, Abel:
“Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Cain and Abel were the first offspring of Adam and Eve, revealing that, from the very beginning, there has been a seed of division sown into the heart of humanity.
***
When we gaze across the world of politics, race, religion, and culture, it’s easy to see this “auto-immune” mentality at work.
But this is not what God planned for his creation.
As Saint Paul says, “We, though many, are one body in Christ.”
A body that is meant to live in harmony, not in division.
As Christians – and people of good will, in general – we are called to help restore what was lost; to overcome that division that started with our ancestors. But we need the gift of the Holy Spirit to do so.
God’s Spirit allows us to love until it hurts; to forgive wrongdoings; to be peace where there is division, light where there is darkness.
***
In what ways can I work for greater harmony – in my heart, my home, and the community around me?
***
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful. Enkindle in us the fire of your love and we shall renew the face of the earth.
***
***
Image credits: (1) PktFuel.com (2) My Brother’s Keeper, Hear Him Daily (3) Am I my brother’s keeper?, Christianity
Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.
“You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
“Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors, Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow. But I say to you, do not swear at all. Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
***
***
Some of you may know that I was once a third-grade teacher in Newark through a program called, Teach for America. My school was one of the lowest performing public schools in the country.
At times, it was difficult getting my students to focus. There were days when it felt like they’d rather watch paint dry on the wall than learn about multiplication or division.
But one tactic that always got their attention was playing a game. And for some reason, a class favorite was Simon Says.
***
I’ve sure most of us have played it. The leader of the game is named, “Simon.”
Simon issues a series of commands, always beginning with, “Simon says.”
“Simon says, ‘Touch your nose.’”
“Simon says, ‘Touch your shoulder.’”
Whenever a person follows a command without the leader saying, “Simon says,” first, then that person is out.
It was funny watching my students play. They were hyper aware of their neighbors, policing each other to make sure that no one broke the rules. Often, when someone knew that he or she was out, they’d try to stay in the game anyway.
Maybe you’ve been there as a kid, too. You cheated in a game. Borrowed a neighbor’s answer on a test. Let a lie slip.
***
A simple game or a borrowed answer on a test, leads to a humbling insight about humanity: at some point, we all break the rules.
We try to convince ourselves that no one is looking. We give ourselves permission to stay in the game, as it were, even when we know we should be out.
Why can it be so difficult to tell the truth? To let another person win? To do what we should instead of what we want to do?
***
The Greek philosopher, Plato, likened the human soul to a charioteer whose task it was to drive two horses. One horse was gentle and mild, obedient to our commands. The other was wild, untamed, and rebellious.
The name of the first horse is Reason. The second is Passion.
***
Reason and Passion live in constant conflict within us.
For example, Reason would say, “I didn’t do what Simon says. I should sit down now. I’m out.” Passion would say, “Nobody saw you. Stay in the game!”
Or if someone strikes you across the cheek, Reason would say, “Take a deep breath. Back down. They may be stronger than you!”
Even, “Forgive them.”
Passion would say, “Hit ‘em hard! Smack ‘em back!”
***
It’s our passions that Jesus is addressing in today’s Gospel. It’s not enough for Christians to know what is right; we also must do what is right.
It’s not enough for us to refrain from slapping a person. We should never wish to hurt them.
It’s not enough to refrain from impurity. We should never think impurely.
It’s not enough to refrain from dishonesty. We should never consider telling a lie.
It’s not enough to know what is right. We should always do what is right by following Reason, and listening to our conscience.
As Jesus says, “Let your ‘yes’ mean ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ mean ‘no.’”
***
Such a high standard is impossible to live on our own. We all want to win! We want to stay in the game, as it were, because Reason and Passion are both tugging at our will.
Only Christ can tame them, making them work in harmony for us – not against us.
That interior transformation is a type of death to self, leading us towards that great confession of Saint Paul, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ living in me.”
For Paul, Christ became the charioteer, guiding his Reason and his Passion.
***
When do I feel Reason conflicting with Passion? When am I tempted to say, “No one is looking? Or I’ll break the rules and stay in the game, even when I should be out?”
***
It might be when I get frustrated with my siblings or my spouse.
When I’m caught in a lie.
When I want something but I know I shouldn’t have it.
***
“Simon says. ‘Follow your conscience. Do what is right. Let your ‘yes’ mean ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ mean ‘no.’”
***
***
(1) 9 acts of human kindness, Pinterest (3) Mrs. Lucy’s Teaching Fun, Buzzle.com (3) SBnation.com
