Genesis 8:6-13, 20-22 / Mark 8:22-26
We don't have to know a lot about birds to know the difference between a dove and a raven.
Doves are generally white in colour and associated with good luck or good omen. In fact doves are also a sign of peace.
In the first reading, when Noah sent out the dove the second time, it returned with a new olive-branch, to indicate that the waters were receding from the earth.
And when he sent out the dove the third time, it returned to him no more, to mean that the surface of the earth was dry.
So much of that lovable dove in the 1st reading. Now what about the raven? If we had paid attention to the 1st reading, Noah sent out the raven first, and it flew back and forth until the waters dried up from the earth. But after that there was no further mention of the raven.
Ravens are black in colour and they don't make a nice sound, and they are often seen as a bad omen and luck, maybe because of their colour, the sound they make and generally their looks.
But surprisingly, ravens are mentioned in the Bible at significant moments. Besides being sent out by Noah, it was also a raven that brought food to the prophet Elijah, and also in other parts of the Bible.
So as much as ravens do not have glamorous roles in the Bible, they have significant roles in the plan of God.
It also reminds us that God chooses what is humble and lowly to do His work. So may we not despise what is humble and lowly for God often works through them.