Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Genesis 8:6-13, 20-22: After the flood, Noah sent out birds to check if the waters had receded. Once the ground dried, Noah offered sacrifices, and God promised not to destroy the earth again.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 116: I offer thanks to the Lord for His kindness and keep my promises in front of His people. His faithful are precious to Him, and I praise Him in Jerusalem.
• Gospel – Mark 8:22-26: Jesus healed a blind man in Bethsaida in two stages. After the first touch, the man’s vision was unclear. Jesus touched him again, and his sight was fully restored. Jesus instructed him to avoid the village.

When they arrived at Bethsaida, they brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him.

Mark 8:22

On Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, the readings reflect trust in God’s promises and healing. Noah’s story shows God’s faithfulness, while Jesus heals a blind man, revealing His care and mercy.

• Trust in God’s Timing: Noah waits patiently in the ark until the waters recede. This shows faith in God’s timing and the need for patience in uncertain times.
• Covenant of Hope: After the flood, God promises never to destroy the earth by water again. This reflects God’s commitment to humanity and the hope that follows hardship.
• Gratitude in Worship: Noah builds an altar and offers thanks to God after the flood. This highlights the importance of giving thanks after receiving God’s help.
• Healing and Restoration: Jesus heals a blind man in stages, showing how healing can be a gradual process. This reminds us that God restores us in His way and time.
• Faith and Persistence: The blind man’s healing takes more than one step, emphasizing persistence. This shows that faith is needed, even when answers or healing take time.
• God’s Promise of Renewal: After the flood, God promises to keep the seasons and life going. This assures us of God’s care for creation and His faithfulness to sustain life.

God’s care and healing are seen in both readings. They encourage us to trust in His timing and promises, and to be thankful for His guidance and help.

The readings for Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 highlight important themes about faith, healing, and God’s care for creation. In the first reading, we see God’s promise to sustain life after the flood. The Gospel shows Jesus healing a blind man in a gradual process. These passages remind us to trust in God’s timing and His care for us.

God’s Promise to Sustain Life

In the first reading for Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, God promises that the cycle of seasons and life will continue after the flood. This promise shows us that God cares for creation and keeps everything running in order. Even after a great disaster like the flood, God brings life and growth back to the earth.

We can trust in God’s faithfulness. Just as He promised to keep the seasons going, He will continue to take care of us and the world around us. This gives us hope when things seem difficult or uncertain in our own lives.

God’s care for creation includes each of us. We are part of His plan, and He provides for all our needs. We are reminded to trust in His goodness, even when things look hard or unclear. The story of Noah shows us that after times of difficulty, God continues to give life and hope.

God’s Gradual Healing

In the Gospel for Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Jesus heals a blind man, but it happens in stages. The man first sees only partially, and then his sight is fully restored. This shows that healing and growth often take time and don’t always happen all at once.

In our lives, we may experience this same slow process. We pray for help or healing, but the answer doesn’t always come right away. Just like the blind man, we need to be patient and trust that God is working, even if we don’t see the full results immediately.

This gradual healing reminds us that God knows the best way to care for us. Sometimes it takes time for us to grow or understand what God is doing. Even when things are unclear, we can trust that God will eventually bring us to a place of full healing and restoration, just as Jesus did for the blind man.

Faith in the Midst of Uncertainty

Both the first reading and the Gospel for Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 highlight the theme of trusting God in uncertain times. Noah trusted God when he didn’t know when the flood would end, and the blind man trusted Jesus even when his healing wasn’t immediate. Both situations required faith in what God was doing, even when the future seemed unclear.

In our own lives, we face times of waiting or uncertainty. Like Noah, we may not know when the storm will pass. Like the blind man, we may not be fully healed or see the results of our prayers right away. But in both cases, the readings show us that God is at work, even when we can’t see it fully.

Faith means trusting in God’s plan, even when we don’t have all the answers. The story of Noah and the healing of the blind man remind us to hold on to our faith. God is always working for our good, even in times of waiting or uncertainty.

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The reflections for Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 call us to have faith in God, even when we face uncertainty or waiting. Whether we are waiting for healing or trusting in God’s promises, we are reminded of His faithful presence in our lives. With patience and trust, we can hold on to the hope that God brings.

Prayer

Loving God, help us to trust in Your timing and care. Give us patience when answers come slowly, and faith when the path is unclear. Thank You for Your constant love and the promise that You will sustain us through every season. Guide us to live in trust and gratitude each day. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How does God’s promise to Noah after the flood help you trust in His care for your life?
• When have you experienced healing or change that took time? How did it affect your faith?
• What can you learn from the blind man’s gradual healing about patience in prayer?
• How can you trust God in times of uncertainty or waiting?

USCCB Reflection: Healing and Faith in Community

In this USCCB video reflection for Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1, Dr. Jem Sullivan reflects on Jesus healing a blind man. The community’s faith plays a role in his healing, showing the importance of Christian fellowship. The man’s first sight is of his community, symbolizing reconciliation with others. His full healing opens him to faith in God, helping him see with the eyes of faith. Jesus continues to heal through the sacraments, bringing people back to God and each other.

What date is Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The next date is Wednesday February 19, 2025.

Cycle 1 is used in odd numbered years and Cycle 2 is used in even numbered years. The gospel is the same for both years. For even numbered years see Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2.

What are the Mass readings for Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Wednesday February 19, 2025 are:
First Reading  – Genesis 8:6-13, 20-22: God’s Promise After the Flood
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 116: Offering Praise to the Lord
Gospel – Mark 8:22-26: Jesus Heals a Blind Man

Why did Noah wait so long in the ark in the first reading for Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

In the reading from Genesis, Noah waits patiently in the ark until the floodwaters dry up. This teaches us to trust in God’s timing even when we don’t understand why things take so long.

What can we learn from Noah building an altar?

Noah builds an altar to give thanks after the flood. This shows that we should remember to thank God for His help in difficult times.

What is the meaning of God’s promise after the flood?

God promises never to destroy the earth by water again. This reminds us that God always keeps His promises and offers us hope after suffering.

How can the story of Noah apply to our lives today?

The story of Noah shows us the importance of faith and trust. Like Noah, we should have faith in God even when we face challenges or long waits.

Why does Jesus heal the blind man in stages in the Gospel for Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Jesus heals a blind man in steps. This shows that healing can sometimes take time, and we need to be patient and trust God as He works.

What does the blind man’s healing teach us about faith?

The blind man’s healing shows us that sometimes faith means being patient. God may heal or help us in stages, and we need to trust Him even when it’s not immediate.

Why did Jesus take the blind man away from the village to heal him?

Jesus takes the blind man away from the crowd to heal him. This shows that sometimes God works in our lives in personal, quiet ways away from others.

What is the connection between the two readings for Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Both readings show God’s care for us. In Genesis, God saves Noah and promises never to destroy the earth again, and in the Gospel, Jesus heals the blind man, showing His love for those in need.

How should we respond to God’s promises?

We should respond by trusting in God and being thankful for His care in our lives.