Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

When we think of the idea of a "new creation," I think we often think, and rightly so, of the new creation in Christ. But biblically, there are multiple places that can be spoken of as new creations. The construction of the Temple in Jerusalem is one clear example, especially for the ancient interpreters. The construction of the Tabernacle was likewise viewed as a new creation, as was the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai.

But today's reading from the Book of Genesis concerning Noah and the flood is yet another example of a new creation, and is more proximate to the creation account in Genesis 1. Noah will emerge from the flood with his family and with the animals, and start creation afresh. The number 7 predominates as it did with creation, and a covenant is renewed, none other than the original covenant made with creation.

We hear of God's anger in this passage from today's reading, and rightly so. In the texts preceding this passage, people had begun to make a name for themselves, and this would continue after the flood as well. Genesis 4-6 can be seen as following two family lines, as St. Augustine explained in his great work, The City of God. On the one hand there was the righteous line of Seth, and on the other, the unrighteous line of Cain. Eventually, according to St. Augustine's reading, as well as the interpretation of many of the Church fathers and rabbis, the two lines began to intermingle. But, as opposed to making the line of Cain holier and closer to God, Cain's line made Seth's less holy, more profane, and more distant from God.

With Noah, his son Shem, and eventually their descendant Abraham, God attempts to reunite His family which has been, and continues to be, scattered through sin. The picture we have of Noah in this chapter is that of a righteous man who follows God. He trusts even when there is no evidence to trust, except for the very command of God. In many ways, Noah can be seen as a man of faith. In fact, in chapter 11 of the Letter to the Hebrews in the New Testament, Noah, alonside many others like Abraham, is listed as an example of steadfast faith in the Lord.

Let's take the example of Noah, and try to live out our faith in God. Especially during this time of economic crisis, we might find it difficult to trust God. With the example of Noah, and the other figures mentioned in Hebrews chapter 11, let's perservere in the faith, recognizing that God will be with us through any storm and through any flood we may encounter in our own lives.

Jeff Morrow