Both readings today speak of our human obligations before God our Lord. The first reading is an account of creation in Genesis. It begins with God creating Adam from the pre-existing dust, and then fashioning a beautiful garden for him and Eve to dwell in. The details of the myths may vary, but are intended to teach the children of Israel that everything comes from God, and that we must obey His commandments if we hope to have a happy life.

In the second reading from Mark, Jesus tells the scribes and Pharisees that they are mistaken in stressing external observance of the law. Obedience is important, but what is really crucial is the quality of the heart. For those reborn in Jesus all of creation is good. The problem is not forbidden foods or superstitious practices but the quality of the love with which we do what we do and eat what we eat. One can be very strict in externals and still not be a true Christian. For Jesus our motivation is all important. We need the law (for example, the obligation of Sunday Mass) to help us to become strong and self-disciplined. But if we do these things just to impress others, or to feel superior to others, they have no value to Jesus. The real challenge is to do them out of love - for God and for our fellow human beings.