Genesis 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10 / Mark 8:14-21
There is a method of discerning situations that goes by three words.
Those three words are see-judge-act.
The first is to observe and gather information ("See"), then evaluating it based on ethical principles to form a judgment ("Judge"), and finally taking action to address the situation ("Act")
That discerning process can also be used in our personal daily life situations.
And the see-judge-act process can be deepened with prayer.
With prayer we will be able to perceive what God wants to show us.
In the 1st reading, when Noah started building the ark, the people saw what he was doing.
So, they saw but they were not able to perceive why he was doing it.
It could be that their wickedness had blinded them and so they saw but they could not perceive.
In the gospel, Jesus asked His disciples some questions that should make them think deeper.
Jesus asked: Do you not yet understand? Have you no perception? Are your minds closed? Have you eyes that do not see, ears that do not hear? Or do you not remember?
Let us bring these questions of Jesus to prayer.
Then when we see, judge and act, our minds will be open, our eyes will see, our ears will hear.
And we will also perceive what God is showing and telling us.