(Optional Memorial for Saint Jerome Emiliani, Priest)
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| “Allegory of the Creation” by Jacopo Zucchi, c. 1585 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Genesis 2:4b-9, 15-17
Commentary on Gn 2:4b-9, 15-17
This selection provides excerpts of the second creation account (also called the Yahwehest account because in Hebrew texts, God is referred to as “Yahweh God” instead of God). In studying the oldest copies of Genesis, it is clear that multiple authors are responsible for the texts, and this is one way scholars distinguish them. This account does not describe creation using a calendar, but rather begins with a lifeless earth and develops the creation of its detailed elements from that point. “It is historical in context but symbolic in description (CCC 362, 375).”[4]
In this passage, the image of man in the Garden of Eden is presented. We also hear the one rule man is given: “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; the moment you eat from it you are surely doomed to die.” This instruction, using the words "care for it," or "keep" in other translations, instructs Adam and Eve to protect the garden, anticipating an attack on its sacredness by the serpent.
CCC: Gn 2:7 362, 369, 703; Gn 2:8 378; Gn 2:15 378; Gn 2:17 376, 396, 396, 400, 1006, 1008
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 104:1-2a, 27-28, 29bc-30
R. (1a) O bless the Lord, my soul!
Commentary on Ps 104:1-2a, 27-28, 29bc-30
Psalm 104 is a hymn of praise to God the creator. These strophes are praising God for the bounty of the earth which supports life. In this song reference is also made of the creation of life from dust and the ultimate return of the body to dust.
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Gospel: Mark 7:14-23
Commentary on Mk 7:14-23
Jesus takes that first command of God to man in the Garden (Genesis 2:15-17) and interprets it. It was not the fruit of "the tree of knowledge of good and evil," but the spirit of evil which caused them to disobey God's word.
The Lord also seems to refute Jewish Dietary Law that declares some foods to be unclean. The importance of this statement to the Christian community would not be understood until the debate about the need for Gentiles to follow Jewish Law was taken up (see Acts 10:14ff; 15:28-29; Galatians 2:11-17). The point he makes is that the food that enters the body cannot destroy it but actions and words that contravene God’s Law will.
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Reflection:
We are given some interesting scripture today. It is interesting because it seems to contradict itself. In the reading from Genesis we hear God command man not to eat from “the tree of knowledge of good and evil.” (Let’s think for a moment, did that tree really grow? Or was God telling man to remain innocent, childlike in faith, in their understanding of God’s will? Where did we hear that before?) So, in Genesis we are hearing, not about a real tree and real food, but rather a metaphor. God did not want man to learn from the Evil One. Unfortunately, the serpent ended up spoiling the Father’s plan anyway. (Thinking about this deeply brings us to contemplate “free will” which was given in our creation as God said, “in our [his] image, after our [his] likeness” (Genesis 1:26). The first people were given a choice: listen to God or listen to the evil one.)
Based on the fact that the tree of knowledge of good and evil was intended, not for the physical wellbeing of mankind, but rather the spiritual good, what we hear from Jesus in the Gospel of Mark today is completely consistent with God His Father’s will in Genesis. Jesus is making it plain that, while there were good practical reasons related to physical health for what are known as the Dietary Laws in the Old Testament, the health of our eternal soul is more important.
Jesus tells us that even if our body dies, and all bodies die, the soul will not die. He came to defeat death, and where the soul goes when the body dies is determined by what comes out of the body, not what goes into it. He has prioritized our concerns. Our first and most important concern should be our spiritual health, and we can maintain that health by working toward inward purity. The Lord says that: “From within the man, from his heart, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.” We can avoid these if we hold fast to the moral values that God has left us.
We take note that of the things the Lord identifies as destructive to us, only theft and murder are even considered illegal by our justice system. The rest are considered either acceptable behavior or ignored as personal characteristics. Even theft refers only to certain types of stealing, and murder to only certain types of murder. We are called to a higher law. We will be held to a higher standard. We will be judged by that standard when we stand before the Lord on the Last Day.
Pax
[1] The picture used is “Allegory of the Creation” by Jacopo Zucchi, c. 1585
[4] Ignatius Catholic Study Bible - Genesis, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA, © 2010, pp. 20
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