1oth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
Readings:
Genesis 3:9-15
2 Corinthians 4:13-5-1
Mark 3:20-35
Reflection:
Recently, there was a Documentary on U-Tube titled: The Sound of Silence! This program explored the amount of noise that we can hear in our world. The atmosphere of our planet is filled with interference from the radio waves caused by music, broadcasts, static and it becomes a complete cacophony of unrecognizable sounds. Yet, extraordinary Radio telescopes can pierce our noise and hear the sounds radiated from distant planets.
The Word of God this Sunday was written during a time of Salvation History where our ancestors in faith were faced with the problem of listening to truth or listening to false truth! The evergreen question is: How can we pick the difference between the voice of truth and the voice of false truth? This begs another question, especially in the Book of Genesis: Why is it that we have evil in our world, and why does it seem to thrive? Where does the voice of goodness show its face? How can we tune into the right frequency which leads us to listening to God? These are provocative questions; these are real questions.
The first Reading highlights for us that God is always out to rescue us and help us in our discernment process. The human response to ‘blame’ is too often ‘pass the buck’ as we say…. accusing others. Within the processing of who did what and why, the conclusion is revealed. Our God offers always to save us! Did we learn the lesson in this process?
The Gospel is linked to the first Reading. Here we see the natural incredulousness of the people and even the Lord’s family at the things that Jesus said and did. So much so, that the kith and kin of Jesus are those who do the Will of the Father.
When do we listen to God’s Word? Do we allow our spirit filled response the time to be articulated in our words and actions? Do we feed our inner Spirituality with the Sounds of Silence?
Kevin Walsh is a priest in the Diocese of Parramatta in Sydney. He has been formed in the Passionist tradition and Ministers to the Aged, the Sick, the Dying and the Bereaved.