The Intention within!

WORD 2day: Monday, 6th week in Ordinary time

February 17, 2025: Genesis 4: 1-15, 25; Mark 8: 11-13

What have we heard from our childhood memories about the story we hear today: as Cain brought some rotten fruits and leftovers, while Abel brought the best of the firstlings from his flock? But let us take a good look at the story as we read today in the first reading: there is nothing in there that says in the Word that Cain's offering was rotten. Yes, it was not acceptable, but not because it was not of international standards or of the best known quality.

It is the question from the Lord that gives us the reason why Cain's offering was abominable: because of the heart with which it was offered. His heart was probably filled with envy, pride and malice and that renders even the best of gifts worthless. It is not what we give that matters, but with what kind of a spirit we make the offering we make.

The Gospel presents to us another scene where Jesus is upset with the Pharisees and the Scribes. So many had asked him for healing and miracles... he had no issues with them, that is about healing or doing miracles. But today when they ask for a sign he is worked up. The reason was simple: what lay in their heart as they asked for it! Feelings of animosity, pride, envy and hypocrisy. It was not what they asked that irritated him, but what was there behind what they asked, what was there in their hearts even as they made that demand from him!

When we come to the presence of the Lord to pray, let us check our inner disposition first. Are we worthy to behold the presence of the Lord?