YOU WILL NOT DIE…

Genesis 3:1-8 
1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any other wild creature that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree of the garden’?”2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden;3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'”
4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die.5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, and he ate.7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves aprons.8 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

Mark 7:31-37 

31 Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, through the region of the Decapolis.32 And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech; and they besought him to lay his hand upon him.33 And taking him aside from the multitude privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue;34 and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.”35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.36 And he charged them to tell no one; but the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it.37 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well; he even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.”

MEDITATION 

THE FIRST READING: Fully aware of God’s admonitions and the consequential repercussions should anyone question or violate Gods commandments, Satan nevertheless lure Eve into a tête-à-tête, causing her to desire the wisdom of God when she and Adam breached and transgressed Gods edict to not eat of the tree of good and bad knowledge! Ashamed of their criminal act, the couple played the deaf and dumb–hide-and-seek game, hoping to cover up their sin!

St MARK capture the story of a man with a hearing and speech impediment who was escorted to Christ by God fearing loving carers, who willed the restoration of his compromised faculties that precluded him from audible engaging in a meaningful conversation with anyone. Christ’s command that the bystanders not broadcast His presence fell on deaf ears after they witnessed a miracle when He used words and spittle—an offensive custom—as medicine, to touch and restore the man’s compromised faculties!

Euch time the consecrated priest elevate the body and blood of Christ, accompanied by the ringing of the bell calling us to focus our cognitive faculties on the miracle that takes place before our very eyes, we truly believe that Christ is substantially present to us in the form of bread and wine—fruits of the tree of the Garden of Gethsemane! The massage is clear, anyone who agree with Satan and dismiss or call into question the supernatural Truth that Christ posses the power to transform bread and wine into His flesh and blood to prevent us from a spiritual death, shall not be raised on the last day.Jn 6:53-58

LET US PRAY:1 A Psalm of David. A Maskil.

Psalms 32:1-2,5-7
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.2 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.5 I acknowledged my sin to thee, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”; then thou didst forgive the guilt of my sin. [Selah]6 Therefore let every one who is godly offer prayer to thee; at a time of distress, in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him.7 Thou art a hiding place for me, thou preservest me from trouble; thou dost encompass me with deliverance. [Selah]

Commentary. Henry R SYLVESTER Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days.