Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Gn 8:6-13, 20-22; Ps 116:12-13, 14-15, 18-19; Mk 8:22-26
Notes: I am tired today, long day yesterday. My notes are dense and intercalated but I don’t want to flatten them out as it would take pages to do. Please read the notes as such and let the Lord speak.
Theme words: dialogical, aid, hand out to help, mercy, love, progressive elaboration, grievious.
Progressive Elaboration is a consistent mode of expression in sacred Scripture. The divine will progresses across the biblical stories and is added by summary statements along the way. The climatic expression of love is the Cross. These stories also reveal the dialogical nature of the divine aid.
From the readings this week
The LORD God then called to the man and asked him: Where are you?
Then the LORD said to Cain: Why are you angry? Why are you dejected?
Then the LORD asked Cain, Where is your brother Abel?
The question series from yesterday’s gospel portion https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2023/02/14/calling-all-saints/
The Noah story is its own progressive elaboration of the mercy of God. How very dear we are to the Lord even in our messed-up ways and behaviors. The gospel portion today is the progressive elaboration of Jesus’ ministry and personal divine revelation.
Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on him and asked, “Do you see anything?”
Looking up he replied, “I see people looking like trees and walking.”
From the readings this week
death of God’s faithful is grievous to God
the sigh https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2023/02/13/sigh-from-the-depth-of-your-spirit/
If the Earth becomes inhabitable for humanity it won’t be from cosmic forces or planetary events beyond our control. It will be our responsibility. Death of God’s faithful is grievous to God.
God is always reaching out to us
[Noah] Putting out his hand, he caught the dove and drew it back to him inside the ark.
[Jesus] He took the blind man by the hand.
Hold God’s hand!
First reading
As long as the earth lasts, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, Summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
When the LORD smelled the sweet odor [Noah’s burnt offering of thanks], he said to himself: “Never again will I doom the earth because of man since the desires of man’s heart are evil from the start; nor will I ever again strike down all living beings, as I have done.
Responsorial Psalm
To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.
My vows to the LORD I will pay in the presence of all his people. Precious in the eyes of the LORD is the death of his faithful ones.
Precious or Dear in the eyes of the Lord.
Dear in the eyes of the LORD: the meaning is that the death of God’s faithful is grievous to God, not that God is pleased with the death, cf. Ps 72:14. In Wis 3:5–6, God accepts the death of the righteous as a sacrificial burnt offering (NABRE, commentary PS 116:15).
Alleluia Verse
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, that we may know what is the hope that belongs to his call.
Gospel Portion
Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on the man and asked, “Do you see anything?” Looking up the man replied, “I see people looking like trees and walking.” Then he laid hands on the man’s eyes a second time and he saw clearly; his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 