Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings for Friday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time
Commentary:
Reading 1 Gn 3:1-8
Today continues the Genesis account with the story of “The Fall”. We hear how man fell from grace through Original Sin. The account is given of the temptation by the serpent first distorting the truth to tempt the woman first telling her that there would be no punishment and then telling her that she would become like God. The use of the serpent to represent the fallen human nature is probably a reference to the serpent used in pagan fertility rituals at the time. The serpent is one of the “beasts of the field” named by man and is not intrinsically evil.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7
R. Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.
Providing hope for mankind following the story of “The Fall” is Psalm 32 rejoicing for the one whose sins are forgiven. The psalmist gives thanks for God’s saving work, emphasizing that only He can deliver man from sin.
Gospel Mk 7:31-37
Returning from his encounter with the Syrophoenician woman, the Lord now heals the deaf mute. This action, especially the wording of the final quote, (“He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” ) which is a paraphrase from Isaiah, has a prophetic feel.
The Lord’s actions are sacramental in nature. That is they accomplish what they signify. As the Lord takes the man aside, he puts his fingers into the man’s mouth and ears. He then sighs or groans looking heavenward, demonstrating his intimate relationship to the father rather than in prayer, and says, “ephphetha!” or “be opened.
This passage has two unusual characteristics. First, the Lord takes the man aside, in private, implying something of the secret of the Messiah. Next, after his cure was affected he tells the man not to tell anyone but not only does the man continue to do so but proclaims it. We are given the feel that the event taking place is special in revelation.
Reflection:
The scripture readings we are given today are all tied together in an event we share. What is this event? It is our Baptism. In the first reading from Genesis we hear the story of “The Fall”. Man falls from grace by violating the only law God had given. The Original Sin is thrust upon mankind.
Following the story of the Fall, we find in the Psalm, the realization that it is only God who can wash the stain of sin away. Happy are those for whom this has been done cries the author.
Finally, in the Gospel, Jesus cures the deaf mute. In doing so he opens the man’s ears and lips, pronouncing the word “Ephphetha”. In doing so he reveals his saving power.
Original Sin is the driving reason for our tradition of baptizing infants. The absence Original Sin was the gift given to Mary the Mother of God whose womb was free from all sin. Baptism restores us to grace by wiping away that fallen nature initiated in the Genesis story. It provides adoption to us and makes us children of God. Like the psalmist, we rejoice because “Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.”
If it has been a while since you have attended a baptism, let me refresh your memory a bit. Following the sacramental bath, that also does what it symbolizes, and following the anointing with Chrism and the vesting with the white garment, the celebrant goes to the child. He says:
“The Lord Jesus made the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak. May he soon touch your ears to receive his word, and your lips to proclaim his faith, to the glory of God the Father. Amen”
The prayer is called the Ephphetha and we remember this very special event with that prayer each time a child is baptized in the Church. It recalls to us our adoption not only as children of God but disciples with all the responsibilities that go with it.
Today we thank God for our gift of Baptism and pray that the strength given in that sacrament will help us face the challenges of discipleship.
Pax
Readings for Friday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time
Commentary:
Reading 1 Gn 3:1-8
Today continues the Genesis account with the story of “The Fall”. We hear how man fell from grace through Original Sin. The account is given of the temptation by the serpent first distorting the truth to tempt the woman first telling her that there would be no punishment and then telling her that she would become like God. The use of the serpent to represent the fallen human nature is probably a reference to the serpent used in pagan fertility rituals at the time. The serpent is one of the “beasts of the field” named by man and is not intrinsically evil.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7
R. Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.
Providing hope for mankind following the story of “The Fall” is Psalm 32 rejoicing for the one whose sins are forgiven. The psalmist gives thanks for God’s saving work, emphasizing that only He can deliver man from sin.
Gospel Mk 7:31-37
Returning from his encounter with the Syrophoenician woman, the Lord now heals the deaf mute. This action, especially the wording of the final quote, (“He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” ) which is a paraphrase from Isaiah, has a prophetic feel.
The Lord’s actions are sacramental in nature. That is they accomplish what they signify. As the Lord takes the man aside, he puts his fingers into the man’s mouth and ears. He then sighs or groans looking heavenward, demonstrating his intimate relationship to the father rather than in prayer, and says, “ephphetha!” or “be opened.
This passage has two unusual characteristics. First, the Lord takes the man aside, in private, implying something of the secret of the Messiah. Next, after his cure was affected he tells the man not to tell anyone but not only does the man continue to do so but proclaims it. We are given the feel that the event taking place is special in revelation.
Reflection:
The scripture readings we are given today are all tied together in an event we share. What is this event? It is our Baptism. In the first reading from Genesis we hear the story of “The Fall”. Man falls from grace by violating the only law God had given. The Original Sin is thrust upon mankind.
Following the story of the Fall, we find in the Psalm, the realization that it is only God who can wash the stain of sin away. Happy are those for whom this has been done cries the author.
Finally, in the Gospel, Jesus cures the deaf mute. In doing so he opens the man’s ears and lips, pronouncing the word “Ephphetha”. In doing so he reveals his saving power.
Original Sin is the driving reason for our tradition of baptizing infants. The absence Original Sin was the gift given to Mary the Mother of God whose womb was free from all sin. Baptism restores us to grace by wiping away that fallen nature initiated in the Genesis story. It provides adoption to us and makes us children of God. Like the psalmist, we rejoice because “Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.”
If it has been a while since you have attended a baptism, let me refresh your memory a bit. Following the sacramental bath, that also does what it symbolizes, and following the anointing with Chrism and the vesting with the white garment, the celebrant goes to the child. He says:
“The Lord Jesus made the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak. May he soon touch your ears to receive his word, and your lips to proclaim his faith, to the glory of God the Father. Amen”
The prayer is called the Ephphetha and we remember this very special event with that prayer each time a child is baptized in the Church. It recalls to us our adoption not only as children of God but disciples with all the responsibilities that go with it.
Today we thank God for our gift of Baptism and pray that the strength given in that sacrament will help us face the challenges of discipleship.
Pax
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