5th Week in Ordinary Time (B) : Monday 8th February 2021

Today’s first reading comes from the first page of the Bible. It describes the creation of the world.

This account is written in the tradition known as Priestly. The style is quite formal and includes repetition. The description is not meant to be taken literally like a science textbook, yet it still expresses truth. There is a pattern: God commands something (And God said, “Let there be…), what is commanded comes into being, and God sees that what is created is good.

Using this simple style of writing, the Priestly authors express something profoundly true: God is powerful. God is the creator of all life and all things. God is good. What God creates is good.

The world outside your window was created by God. It is good. You were created by God. You are good.

In the Gospel, we see people are attracted to this goodness. People run to Jesus and beg him for healing. They deeply desire to encounter God, who is both good and powerful. The creator of the universe does not disappoint them. God dwells among the people and takes their needs seriously…all who touched even the cloak of Jesus were healed.

Lord, thank You for Your beautiful creation. Help me to see Your goodness in the world. Help me to see Your goodness in me.