The Reminder of our Source

 

 Reflection on Today's Readings, Monday, 5th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1, February 8th,2021

Texts: Gen. 1:1-19; Ps. 104:1-2a.5-6.10.12.35c; Mark. 6:53-56

Today's first reading speaks of the beginning; the beginning refers to the birth of time, the dawn of creation. The reading reminds us of our source, the Being to whom we owe our existence. This is not just a reminder but a call to retrace our steps, in case we have gone astray. Since God is our source, we can only be true and real by allying ourselves with Him. Whatever is has its source in God and has no meaning without Him. To say that God created us is to affirm that the meaning of life and our identity are dependent on Him. Hence, living our life outside God is to live fake life and having fake identity. 

We also learn that God is the master and source of order, for the earth was in chaos before creation, but He brought order. It is said, "The earth was without form and void, darkness was upon the face of the deep". However, God stepped in and brought order. This reminds us to always go to God to bring order into our lives.

The reading begins the story of creation with the theme of light and ends with the theme of light. This brings to mind the difference in nature of the light created in the first day and that of the fourth day. The light of the first day is independent of natural object; it is of supernatural order, for it is said in the Book of Revelation thus: "It will never be night again and they will not need lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will be shining on them" (22:5). It reminds us of the light we will enjoy in the world to come. It also shows that light is beyond sun and moon. Sun and moon are not the true source of light but bodies meant to reflect the true light, just as moon has no light by itself but only reflect the light from the sun. Sun and moon give us the foretaste of the light to come; they are meant to lead us to the true light, God. 

When God began the creation He started with light. This shows that to begin anything we need light; the light of knowledge, the light of wisdom, the light of understanding, which only God can give.

Another point to be noted in the reading is that God's works are good. Whatever God does is good. The goodness of His works is the reflection of who He is; God Himself is good. This is a call to trust in God for all that is good. Our goodness is dependent on Him. Let us seek Him for goodness.

The gospel reading points to the bad state of man and his redemption by Jesus Christ. The healing by Jesus Christ is the restoration of man to his healthy state with God. This means that through Jesus Christ we are restored to a healthy state with God, that is, through Jesus Christ we gain peace with God and restored to our glorious state with God.

Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you for redeeming us, may your redemptive action never be in vain in our lives. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke