Genesis, Chapter 9, Verse 2
Fear and dread of you shall
come upon all the animals of the earth and all the birds of the air, upon all
the creatures that move about on the ground and all the fishes of the sea; into
your power they are delivered.
After
the Flood that killed all the earth God gives Noah all the animals of the earth
for food. Before the flood animals and humans are depicted as vegetarians. In
view of the human propensity to violence, God changes the original prohibition
against eating meat. However, God did not remake our bodies and many doctors
will recommend a diet that is high in fruits and vegetables and low in meats. We
even see that while the Israelite's were in the desert grumbling to Moses and
God because in the desert there are few things to eat and they were hungry
complaining that they missed the fleshpots of Egypt. God provided for the
Israelite's by giving them bread from heaven “manna” but told them only to
collect enough for one day’s portion as a test of their will and trust in Him.
He asks us to be content with one day’s portion, too. Yet, God’s goodness to
the Israelite's continued for in the evening he sent quails as meat to eat. Our
Lord knowing the human condition asked the Israelite's to collect a double
portion on the 6th day to allow a day of rest. God gave them leisure
time but leisure time is not idle time which creates lethargy and
boredom. The seventh day is a Holy Day that should be pleasurable because the
rest is earned by hard work and earnest effort. Without the work the rest means
nothing. Today go out to work in the Lord’s vineyard: doing all things in
moderation sharing your daily bread. Take only your portion and give thanks to
God. After laboring six days rest on the seventh day; go to Mass and give glory
to God.
For Catholics today is
the Feast of St. Basil who stated, “When
I think of all this, I am left terrorized and swallowed up with fear that,
because of fickleness of heart or preoccupation with things of no importance, I
may weaken in my love of God and even become a reason of shame or disorder for
Christ.”
Today is also the 9th day of Christmas and the nine
lady’s dancing is a sign of the fruits of the Holy Spirit for those who are not
afraid: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
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