FEBRUARY 13 Mon Weekday Gn 4:1-15, 25/Mk 8:11-13 

14 Tue Sts Cyril, Monk, Methodius, Bishop Memorial Gn 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10/Mk 8:14-21 

15 Wed Weekday Gn 8:6-13, 20-22/Mk 8:22-26 

16 Thu Weekday Gn 9:1-13/Mk 8:27-33 

17 Fri Weekday [Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order] Gn 11:1-9/Mk 8:34—9:1

18 Sat Weekday [BVM] Heb 11:1-7/Mk 9:2-13 

19 SUN 7 SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Lv 19:1-2, 17-18/1 Cor 3:16-23/Mt 5:38-48 

The readings from the Book of Genesis this week take us out of the Garden of Eden as Adam and Eve begin life anew with their two children, Cain and Abel. A tough world gets worse as time goes by as brother kills brother. Finally, only Noah is left as rain comes down, but God’s promise remains. A rainbow spreads across the sky.

The readings from chapter 8 in Mark’s gospel center on the identity of Jesus. The Pharisees and scribes dispute his claims. His disciples believe he is the Messiah, but Peter in Mark 8, 33 calls him to turn away from his mission to Jerusalem.

In readings from the 8th and 9th chapters of Mark this week we hear of the growing opposition to Jesus from the pharisees who ask for a sign and questions from his own disciples. The readings mark the time when Jesus will head toward Jerusalem with his disciples.

Saints Cyril and Methodius. apostles to the slavic peoples, are remembered this Tuesday. Their work can throw some light on our current church debates about the language we should use in our liturgy and also the current situation in the Ukraine.