Today’s first reading and Gospel speak to me of how God, and faith in God, can pierce through the messiness of life.

There has always been sin on the part of humans – gluttony, cruelty, greed, lust, and much more – but the age at the time of Genesis 6 was particularly vexing, according to the writer. The people were so evil that God was ready to chuck it all. To throw the baby out with the bathwater. To wipe out the whole of creation.

But because one person (Noah) and his family were just, humanity and the world's creatures got a second chance.

That’s how much God values acting justly. So, when we are weary and burdened by the messiness of our own sinfulness, mistakes and lack of concern for others, we can have faith that God gives second chances. Jesus' whole mission was a huge second chance for us. We can remember that one person acting justly is enough to change the course of history. So, let us take stock of ourselves and act justly.

The conversation in the boat in the Gospel greatly amuses me. Again, the messiness of life. The disciples relished in that mess – worrying about where their next meal is coming from, who forgot to bring bread, why did they forget to bring bread – and Jesus lived there in the messiness right along with them.

But he encouraged them to rise above it, to see the bigger picture, the true meaning and value in their (our) lives and in the people we meet. Even though the disciples were constantly bickering and trying to one-up each other, Jesus still loved them, still taught them, still died for them, just as he does for each of us.

Cindy wrote this reflection on these readings in 2019.