16th February, Tuesday.
I. Gen 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10
II. Mk 8:14-21
Theme: Providential help of God
On the surface, today’s texts are about external things. In Genesis, Noah escapes from the flood that covered the earth while in Mark the disciples worry that they have too little bread for their voyage across the Sea of Galilee. Jesus seems to be frustrated with his disciples. In spite of all they’ve known him, they do not really understand who he is or what he is about. They do not understand real significance of his deeds, such as his feeding of the multitudes. They not only misunderstood him but they eventually abandoned him. Mark gives quite a negative portrayal of the disciples. Yet, these are the very ones who called in the faith.
Our own reflections, and our theology also, usually begins from what is visible and tangible. It is the sight of the poor and the oppressed that stirs us to wonder what place or purpose suffering may have in the wise providence of God. The misdeeds of the people in Noah’s time provoked sadness in God’s heart and that phrase in Genesis raises all sorts of theological problems, such as: How can God regret? Did he see the creation of mankind as a mistake? Is there room for change in the divine mind? Similarly, Jesus’ response to the disciples turns into a volley of questions which evinces surprise on his part that his followers acted as they did: “Do you still not see or comprehend? Are your minds completely blind? Have you eyes but no sight, ears but no hearing? Do you not remember how I broke the five loaves?” The gospel ends on the question: “Do you still not understand?” Let us experience and recognize the Lord in the Eucharist.
Bro. Santhosh Prabhu SMM
III BTh