Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary
Time
(Genesis 1:1-19; Mark 6:53-56)
As everyone knows, Genesis is the first
book of the Old Testament. But it is not
its most important book. That
distinction is reserved for Exodus, the second book of the Bible, at least
according to Jews. Genesis serves a
critical purpose, however. It gives the
origins of Israel, whom God made His own people in the exodus from Egypt. Genesis also shows God as Lord of creation so
that His word would be heeded and his help known as irresistible.
Today’s passage from Genesis shows God
making something of the heavens and the earth that He has already created. First, the vastness of creation needs shape
so God’s performs separations. Light is
separated from darkness. Sky is
separated from waters. And land is
separated from sea. Then God creates
plants to fill the earth and luminaries, the sky. Remarkably, God does everything effortlessly. All He has to do is say the word, and things
fall into being.
God’s creative power reassures us, His
people. The one who created the seas and
the stars can help us overcome the challenges we face. Whether it is to finish some important work,
to recover from an illness, or to overcome a temptation, we can call upon God
for assistance.
