Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

Almost every culture has creation stories. The reading from Genesis today begins our second creation story. This inspired story looks at the act of all creation as it relates to humanity. What is so powerful from the readings imagery is that the original sculptor, God, forms a creature from the earth and breaths life into the unanimated form. Thus humanity came into existence. This breath of life may be seen as the Holy Spirit, also it might be seen as a scriptural reference for God infusing humanity with soul. The psalm response connects to this creation story. Bless the Lord, O my soul! (Psalm 104:1a). This mantra expresses gratitude for our creation and Creator. As in Genesis, the psalmist sees us as enlivened dust. The sculptor gave us life unadulterated and provided for our every need. A theme also echoed in the today’s psalm. When God put the human in the garden, the Lord gave boundaries from which to live: “You are free to eat from any of the trees of the garden, except the tree of knowledge of good and evil. From that tree you shall not eat.” (Genesis 2:16-17)

In the reading from the Gospel of Mark Jesus is preaching about how evil enters and comes out of the body. Jesus is speaking about the food we eat and is ultimately making the point all foods are clean. Jesus also wants it to be understood that evil mainly comes out of us because of the purity of our heart and our thoughts.

As we go through our day today let us be mindful of the thoughts we entertain, the words that come out of our mouths, and the desires are in our hearts. The creation of God that we are, our minds, lips, and hearts are given to us to Bless the Lord of all creation. When struggling with evil today let us use the prayer below from today’s psalm.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

-Michael Montgomery