Monday 16 February

Genesis 4:1-15, 25; Psalm: 50; Mark 8:11-13

A headstrong people

Estranged from God, the evil of sin continues to corrupt humankind, wreaking havoc with all that is good in God’s creation. Envy and malice lead to murder in the story of Cain and Abel. God begins to despair of the humanity God had created in God’s image; the humanity that God had created in goodness and love. Jesus, too, despairs of the hardened hearts of the Pharisees who are too set in their self-serving ways to listen or to change. All they want is more signs and wonders; a show without belief. Jesus leaves them in their stubbornness of heart.