First Reading (Genesis 8,6-13.20-22).
Reading of the Book of Genesis.
After forty days, Noah opened the window that he had made in the ark, and sent out a raven, which flew away until the waters on the earth dried up. He also released a dove to see if the waters had receded from the face of the earth. But the dove, finding no place to rest, returned to him in the ark; for the waters still covered the surface of the whole earth. Noah reached out, caught the dove and put it in the ark. He then waited another seven days and released the dove again. In the evening, she returned, and behold, she had in her beak an olive branch with green leaves. Thus, Noah understood that the waters had ceased to cover the earth. He waited another seven days, and released the dove, which never returned. It was in the six hundred and first year of Noah’s life, on the first day of the first month, that the waters withdrew from the earth. Noah opened the roof of the ark, looked and saw that the entire surface of the earth was dry. Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and, taking animals and birds of all clean species, he offered burnt offerings on the altar. The Lord breathed in the pleasant odor and said to himself, “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the inclinations of his heart have been evil since his youth. Nor will I again harm every living thing, as I did.” As long as the earth lasts, planting and harvesting, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, will never end.”
– Word of the Lord.
– Thank God.
Gospel (Mark 8,22-26).
Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark.
— Glory to you, Lord.
At that time, Jesus and his disciples arrived at Bethsaida. Some people brought a blind man to him and asked Jesus to touch him. Jesus took the blind man by the hand, led him out of the village, spat in his eyes, placed his hands on him, and asked, “Do you see anything?” The man looked up and said, “I see men. They look like walking trees.” Then Jesus placed his hands over his eyes again and he began to see clearly. He was cured, and saw all things clearly. Jesus told the man to go home and said to him, “Do not enter the village!”
— Word of Salvation.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
Brothers and sisters in Christ, today we are invited to reflect on two biblical passages that, at first glance, may seem distant in time and context, but which, in fact, are deeply connected by the theme of renewal, healing and faith. The first reading, taken from the book of Genesis (8,6-13.20-22), presents us with the end of the flood and the renewal of the covenant between God and humanity. The Gospel of Mark (8:22-26) brings us the healing of a blind man in Bethsaida, a miracle that tells us about the gradualness of faith and spiritual vision. Let’s dive into these stories and discover how they can brighten our lives today.
In the Genesis account, after forty days of flood, Noah sends a dove to see if the waters have receded. The dove leaves, but finds no place to land and returns to the ark. Noah waits another seven days and sends the dove again. This time, she returns with an olive leaf in her beak, a sign that the land is being reborn. On the third attempt, the dove does not return, indicating that the land is dry and ready to be inhabited again. Noah then leaves the ark and offers a sacrifice to God, who promises to never again curse the earth because of man, despite the inclination of the human heart towards evil. He establishes an alliance with creation, symbolized by the rainbow, and promises that the seasons, heat and cold, day and night, will not cease.
Brothers, this passage tells us about God’s patience and His mercy. The flood was a fresh start, a purification, but also a sign that God does not give up on us. He always gives us a new chance, even when we fail. The dove with the olive leaf is a symbol of hope, that even after the storms of life, there is always a rebirth possible. And Noah’s sacrifice reminds us that gratitude and recognition of God’s goodness should be the natural response to His love.
Now, let’s get to the Gospel. Jesus is in Bethsaida, and some people bring him a blind man, asking him to heal him. Jesus takes him outside the village, applies saliva to his eyes and lays hands on him. After the first touch, the man begins to see, but in a confused way: he sees men as trees that walk. Jesus then lays hands again, and the man sees clearly. Jesus sends him home, saying: “Do not enter the village” (Mc 8,26).
This miracle is deeply symbolic. The blind man’s healing does not happen all at once, but in stages. This tells us about the gradualness of faith and spiritual understanding. How many times do we also “see, but not clearly”? How often do we have a clouded view of God, others and ourselves? Jesus, with His patience and mercy, leads us step by step until we can see clearly. He does not give up on us, even when our faith is uncertain or our spiritual vision is confused.
Here, we can make a connection between the two readings. In the flood, God purifies the earth and renews His covenant with humanity. In healing the blind man, Jesus purifies the man’s vision and leads him to the fullness of light. In both cases, there is a process: Noah patiently waits for the dove’s signal, and the blind man goes through two stages until he sees clearly. This teaches us that faith and spiritual renewal are not instantaneous, but require time, patience and trust in God.
Brothers, how many times have we also experienced “floods” in our lives? Moments of pain, of loss, of doubt, that seem to flood everything around us. But, like Noah, we are called to wait with patience and confidence, knowing that God does not abandon us. He sends His “dove” with signs of hope: a friend who comforts us, a word of comfort in the Bible, a moment of peace in the midst of the storm. And, when the earth dries up, we are called, like Noah, to offer our gratitude to God, recognizing His goodness and faithfulness.
Likewise, how often are we like the blind man at Bethsaida? We see, but not clearly. We have faith, but it is weak. We understand God’s plans, but in a confusing way. Jesus, however, does not abandon us in this condition. He touches us, heals us, and leads us to the fullness of spiritual vision. But this requires us to have an attitude of humility and openness. The blind man allowed Jesus to take him out of the village, to touch him, to heal him. We too need to allow Jesus to lead us, even when we don’t understand His ways.
And there is an important detail in the Gospel: Jesus tells the man not to enter the village. Why? Perhaps because the village represents the world with its distractions, its illusions, its values contrary to the Gospel. Jesus wants the man, now healed, to live a new life, away from the influences that could cloud his vision again. We are also called to live a new life, far from sin and temptations that can keep us from God.
Brothers, these readings challenge us to reflect on our own journey of faith. How are we dealing with the “floods” of our lives? Are we waiting with patience and confidence, like Noah, or are we desperate, thinking that God has abandoned us? And how is our spiritual vision? Are we allowing Jesus to heal us, to lead us into the fullness of faith, or are we resisting His touch, preferring to remain in darkness?
May we today learn from Noah and the blind man at Bethsaida. May we trust in God’s patience and mercy, even in the most difficult times. May we allow Jesus to heal us, touch us and lead us to the fullness of light. And that, renewed and healed, we can live a new life, far from the influences of the world, but always close to God, who never abandons us.
May the Virgin Mary, model of faith and patience, help us to always trust in God’s love and allow Him to lead us, step by step, to the fullness of life in His presence. Amen.
Lord Jesus, You who healed the blind man of Bethsaida and renewed the covenant with Noah, also heal our blindness and renew our faith. Help us to trust in Your love, even in the most difficult moments, and to allow You to lead us into the fullness of light. May our life be a testimony of Your mercy and Your grace. Amen.
