Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Saturday of the fifth week in Ordinary Time, February 15, 2025

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Genesis 3: 9-24; Rs psalm 90: 2.3-4.5-6.12-13; Mark 8: 1-10WORKTO EAT Ourmeditation today has the theme: Work to Eat. We human beings have a quality oflife as the animal rationale or the intelligent beings from the animal racebecause God had created us in His own image and likeness. Despite the fact thatthe first fall into sin had caused the expulsion of the first couple out of theParadise, the reason still had its important role to ensure that they did notlose hope for obtaining again God’s favours and graces. Whena person is in great despair and disappointment, or having a terriblesuffering, the support he or she mostly needs should be his or her mind that isstill working and should not be idle or at a lost. He or she should be helpedto think in calm, to be given words of encouragement, and to be kept away frominformation that creates confusion or anxiety. His or her mind should be calm,peaceful and refreshed so that he or she will go through all the difficultiesand problems. If there is a positive thinking in mind, he or she is believed tobe capable of facing difficulties and problems. Wecan understand how the role of reason in Adam and Eve, who had been thrownoutside Paradise. When God ordered them to work on cultivating the land fromwhich he was created, that served as the command that they should use theirminds to work and to manage their lives. The man and his wife must continue torely on the power of God to guide and enlighten their minds, so that theirlives would not become worst. Thecommand to cultivate the land was indeed an order to work. Before Mosesreceived the ten commandments from God on the Mount Sinai, the first couple hadalready received the commandment to work. They had to work to have food and toeat from their own labours. Whatever food eaten were the fruits of their workto cultivate the land and to utilize the plants and contents of the earth Godhad already entrusted to them. In other words, we work in our lives throughwhatever workloads that we bear, the duties entrusted to us, ourresponsibilities, professions, obligations, services, and dedications, tosignify our obedience to God. Therefore,those who do not work, who refuse to work, who leave out jobs and demand othersto do, who devalue the dignity of works, and who torture or kill others withthe works that are so oppressing, are against God. All these are sinful. TheLord Jesus did feed thousands of people who were hungry and all just ate forfree, however, He also reminded us that food should not be obtained assomethings come directly from heaven and we easily find them. Instead, we mustwork. We work to carry out God's word and will, then He will grant us thefruits that benefit our lives.Let's pray. In thename of the Father ... O Lord, grant us good health and sufficient capacity towork with responsibility that will benefit our lives on this earth. Our Fatherwho art in heaven ... In the name of the Father ...