The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contemplate the creative and restorative events of our lives that generate gratitude to God.
Restored in Creation
The reading from the Book of Genesis describes God’s action in Creation.
Until modern times the first line was always translated, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Several comparable ancient cosmogonies, discovered in recent times, have a “when…then” construction, confirming the translation “when…then” here as well. “When” introduces the pre-creation state and “then” introduces the creative act affecting that state. The traditional translation, “In the beginning,” does not reflect the Hebrew syntax of the clause.1
Psalm 104 praises God the Creator and Provider.
* [Psalm 104] A hymn praising God who easily and skillfully made rampaging waters and primordial night into a world vibrant with life. The psalmist describes God’s splendor in the heavens (Ps 104:1–4), how the chaotic waters were tamed to fertilize and feed the world (Ps 104:5–18), and how primordial night was made into a gentle time of refreshment (Ps 104:19–23). The picture is like Gn 1:1–2: a dark and watery chaos is made dry and lighted so that creatures might live. The psalmist reacts to the beauty of creation with awe (Ps 104:24–34). May sin not deface God’s work (Ps 104:35)!2
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is healing the sick in Gennesaret.
They came to him in their numbers because they wanted something from him, a cure for themselves or their sick. We come to prayer often with our needs. We can come to prayer also to know what we might do for Jesus, or what he might do through us. Discipleship brings us into both friendship and partnership. We are grateful for both these callings, knowing that every time we meet the Lord, we are healed and strengthened.3
Carol Zuegner notes that the Gospel shows us God on earth in Jesus. What faith the people had to bring their sick and hope that they could just touch the tassel on Jesus’ cloak and be made well.
What I have to remember is that I, too, am loved by Jesus. When I get discouraged or feel the world is overwhelming, my faith may waver. That’s the time when I need to remember that tassel on Jesus’ cloak. I can remember that God is with me and cares for me. I can ask for grace for patience and peace. And I can find both, at least for a time, if I reach for that tassel and open my heart to God’s grace. I can pray, along with today’s psalm, “May the Lord be glad in his works” and know that those works include me.4
Don Schwager quotes “Christ's wounds bring healing and life,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.
"The Lord of hosts was not signaling weakness as he gave sight to the blind, made the crooked to stand upright, raised the dead to life (Matthew 11:5), anticipated the effects of medicine at our prayers, and cured those who sought after him. Those who merely touched the fringe of his robe were healed (Mark 6:56). Surely you did not think it was some divine weakness, you speculators, when you saw him wounded. Indeed there were wounds that pierced his body (Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:33; John 19:18, 31-37), but they did not demonstrate weakness but strength. For from these wounds flowed life to all, from the One who was the life of all." (excerpt from ON THE CHRISTIAN FAITH 4.5.54-55.16)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Genesis 1:1-19 comments that we are surrounded by words. There are our own words; the conversations going on around us; and the words spoken on television, radio talk shows, commercials, and podcasts. But God’s words are different. They have divine power, and they make things happen.
How does God speak? Look at the Scriptures for some examples. He called childless Abraham and promised him countless descendants (Genesis 17), and it happened. He called Elijah to be a prophet and bring King Ahab back to God (1 Kings 18), and it happened. Jesus spoke over the loaves and fish to feed the multitude (Mark 6:41-44), and it happened. Jesus spoke healing and forgiveness to people in need, and it happened. And don’t forget that God spoke your name, and you happened. In every sacrament, God speaks words that bring you grace for the journey. Count on it: regardless of how you might feel, what you might perceive, or even what you want, God’s word is still making things happen. In Confession, when you hear I absolve you of your sins, your guilt is actually removed, and you receive freedom and grace. At Mass, when the priest says, This is my body, given for you, the bread actually becomes the Body of Christ. When you go to receive Communion and hear The Body of Christ, you are hearing the divine, powerful truth that Jesus is right there before you in the Host, waiting to fill your heart with his presence.6
Friar Jude Winkler connects the text of the Priestly version of Creation to the environment of the exiles in Babylon. The tassels on traditional Jewish clothes were a least significant garment touched on Jesus for healing. Friar Jude notes the Priestly story of creation has a different style and theological message from the earlier Yahwistic story.7
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Thea Bowman (1937–1990), a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration She was a powerful communicator, deeply passionate about Jesus, the Catholic Church, and her African American heritage. Fr. Richard shares her words on the history and significance of what she celebrates as Black sacred song.
Black sacred song is soulful song—
holistic: challenging the full engagement of mind, imagination, memory, feeling, emotion, voice, and body;
participatory: inviting the worshipping community to join in contemplation, in celebration and in prayer;
real: celebrating the immediate concrete reality of the worshipping community—grief or separation, struggle or oppression, determination or joy—bringing that reality to prayer within the community of believers;
spirit-filled: energetic, engrossing, intense;
life-giving: refreshing, encouraging, consoling, invigorating, sustaining. . . .
Black sacred song celebrates our God, [God’s] goodness, [God’s] promise, our faith and hope, our journey toward the promise. Black sacred song carries melodies and tonalities, rhythms and harmonies; metaphors, symbols and stories of faith that speak to our hearts; words, phrases and images that touch and move us.8
The transcendent God of the Priestly account of Genesis stimulates meditation on Divine Authority as we recall spiritual songs that lift us up in praise of God.
References
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