Today’s Readings:
Genesis 4:1-15,25
Psalm 50:1,8,16-17,20-21
Mark 8:11-13
AFTER CAIN KILLED ABEL, who did he marry? How did earth's population grow? Did the first humans have to marry each other? The Genesis account of creation is concerned with none of these questions. Genesis tells us who is responsible for the creation of the world and that our role is to care for the world and for one another.
AFTER CAIN KILLED ABEL, God asks him: "Where is your brother Abel?" Before then, God had warned him of his anger. We ought to be one another's keeper. Let us stay away from anger and envy which darkens the mind and turns the soul into that of a murderer.
MURDER is one of the four sins that cry out to Heaven for Vengeance. Remember that Abel's blood cried out to God for justice.
“The Lord said, 'What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.'” (Genesis 4:10)
THE SIN OF SODOM - “Then the Lord said, ‘The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know.'” (Genesis 18.20-21)
What was the sin of Sodom?
Scripture explains it in two places:
“Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. 50They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore, I did away with them as you have seen.” (Ezekiel 16:49-50)
“Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion (Homosexuality). They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.” (Jude 1:7)
OPPRESSION OF THE POOR, especially widows and orphans - “Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.” (Exodus 22:22-23)
“The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God.” (Exodus 2:24)
DEFRAUDING WORKERS OF THEIR WAGES - “Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether that worker is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. Pay them their wages each day before sunset, because they are poor and are counting on it. Otherwise they may cry to the Lord against you, and you will be guilty of sin.” (Deuteronomy 24:14-15)
“Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.”
(James 5:4)
JUSTICE DEMANDS that we keep God's commands and treat others the way we wish to be treated.
JUDE-MARY OWOH
Prayer:
Father, thank you for You are my counsellor, in Jesus name.
Thank you for Your faithfulness and loving kindness, in Jesus name.
Thank you for your sustenance, providence and protection, in Jesus name.
May we enjoy God's bounty and good health, and use our gifts to strengthen and empower one another, in Jesus’ name.
Evil investments in the lives of our unmarried brethren, keeping them single and unfulfilled, be cancelled by the blood of Jesus, in Jesus name.
Father, no matter the oppressive, depressive or destructive phase the saints are going through, let Your word speak joy, comfort, peace, and solution to their hearts, in Jesus’ name.
Our nation will be GREAT, in Jesus name.
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