Homily: Feast of St. Cyril and Methodius
Feast of St. Cyril and Methodius (Genesis 6:5-8; 7:1-5) “God Washes Away Iniquity.”
Throughout the ancient world there were stories about a great flood that covered the planet. As with many such stories, the writers of the Bible took this story and saw it as a story about God and his creation. There is evidence of natural disasters like floods during prehistory. Scientists have found proof.
The question for us to ponder is what Theological truth the writer is trying to make. It seems like one point that is made is that once sin entered the world chaos resulted and is this is still the case.
According to the flood story God had grown angry with the human race because of the sinful actions of the human race. God decided it was time to begin again. If we remember the beginning of Genesis, we recall that the earth is described as covered with water. Out of the chaos God created the world and everything that lives in the world.
When God brought the rain, and the flood waters it was as if God was beginning again. The chaos is allowed full reign. And then God brings order out of the disorder. The world was recreated or redeemed.
What was unusual about this story as compared to other stories like it was that the God of Israel was a merciful God. Gods were not usually depicted in such a way.
Adam and Eve had disobeyed God. Noah, on the other hand, was obedient. In the small slice of the story that we have we miss the account of how Noah built the ark. The massive project seems impossible, but Noah does what he is told. Step by step he meticulously follows the instructions of God. Because Noah cooperates with God humanity is not completely wiped out. Nor is the world destroyed.
Noah enters the ark which is the vehicle that humanity travels in through the storm to new life. The tale of Noah ends with new life just like when we travel through the waters of Baptism, we receive new life.
Reflection Questions:
1. Do I see the story of Noah as a hopeful one? Why or why not?
2. Can I trust God to save me in times of chaos? How has the Lord acted on my behalf.
Dear Parishioners,
Lent is coming soon. Ash Wednesday is next week. This Sunday we are asking people to bring in the palms they received last Palm Sunday. One tradition of the Catholic Church is that we make the ashes for Ash Wednesday out of the palm branches. If you have any palms at home, please bring them in. There will be a fire burning outside the church before every Mass.
The ashes represent the temporary nature of our life here on earth. Ashes are also a sign of our willingness to repent. Have your thought about a Lenten Penance yet. It is time to make a commitment.
May Our Lady Pray for those in Turkey and Syria today,
Fr. Mark