Genesis 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10 / Mark 8:14-21
When the phone rings, we can do two things.
We can either take the call, or we can just ignore the call.
But one thing for sure, and that is, we know that there was a call.
The call to repentance and conversion is constantly given by God.
He calls out to us to turn away from our sinfulness and to come back to Him.
The 1st reading might have sounded harsh and may have given us the impression of a vengeful and punishing God.
But when we read the whole story of Noah and the flood, we will see that God had issued call after call, warning after warning, to His people.
If punishment comes, it was not because God was vengeful and wanted to wipe out His creation.
It was because His creatures did not remember Him. They forgot who was Creator and who was creature.
They did not heed His call and it was their own sins that punished them.
Hence the important factor for repentance and conversion is always this remembering.
Remembering that God is our Creator and provider.
Remembering that God is merciful and compassionate and forgiving.
Remembering that He fed the thousands when they were hungry.
Remembering that it is only when we hunger and thirst for Him alone, then He will fill us with His saving love.