Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Tuesday of the 6th week in Ordinary Time, February 18, 2025

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Genesis 6: 5-8; 7: 1-5.10; Rs psalm 29: 1a.2.3ac-4.3b.9b-10; Mark 8: 14-21CLEANSING THE EARTH FROM SIN The theme for our meditation today is: Cleansing theEarth from Sin. Cleaning the places we use such as rooms, yards, fields, andthe environment from garbage, reflects our need for a clean atmosphere andenvironment. Cleanliness is a sign of human beauty, health, civilization, anddignity. Cleanliness is also a sign of faith. A believer chooses the path of purification in hisattitude and behavior, in all forms of relationships, and in piety that makeshis heart and soul dwell in God and God in him. The dirty heart, soul andspirit of human beings cannot be an appropriate instrument in buildingrelationships both with God and with others. For example, a heart and soul thatis dirty or filled with sins, it is very possible that the relationships thatare built and developed are clearly full of all humiliation and suffering. The spiritual dimension of cleanliness demands itsbalance with physical hygiene. Our clean and healthy body is a home for theheart and soul to grow properly. A religious person who worships and meditatesdaily, or a Catholic who attends a Eucharistic celebration, when their bodiesare very tired, they easily drift off in sleep. Their hearts and souls cannotbe opened to communicate with God. Likewise, if our hearts are uncomfortableand in turmoil, we have no intention of meeting and talking to the peoplearound us. Today the Book of Genesis describes how God is veryconcerned about the filth of this earth which is filled with sin. The evil ledby Satan and spread by the humans who are in Satan’s side, has resulted in thisworld being so terrifying. God does not want all humans and their environmentto be destroyed by the power of evil. So He decided to clean it up. The modelof the Lord God's salvation is indicated in this manner: the elect are savedwhile the wicked must accept their destruction because of the evil they have committed. Noah was God's choice. He and his family survived.Through baptism and sanctification to become members of the holy Church, wehave officially become the Lord Jesus' chosen people and receive the grace ofsalvation. We are Noahs of today. The lifestyle and views of the Pharisees orscribes who do not recognize Jesus as the Son of God, do not exist in us. Theproblem we face is that we are often unaware of God’s presence and power that rulesour lives. These shortcomings need to be paid attention and renewed, so that weremain on the path of salvation of Jesus Christ. Self-renewal is the right wayto achieve that salvation.Let us pray. In the name of the Father... O Jesus, may wealways be filled with the joy of Your Gospel of salvation. Our Father who artin heaven … In the name of the Father...