Daily Readings - Mon Jun 10 2019

First Reading - Genesis 3.9-15, 20 or Acts 1.12-14

⁹And the Lord God called Adam and said to him: "Where are you?¹⁰And he said, "I heard your voice in Paradise, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and so I hid myself.¹¹He said to him, "Then who told you that you were naked, if you have not eaten of the tree from which I instructed you that you should not eat?¹²And Adam said, "The woman, whom you gave to me as a companion, gave to me from the tree, and I ate.¹³And the Lord God said to the woman, "Why have you done this?" And she responded, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate.¹⁴And the Lord God said to the serpent: "Because you have done this, you are cursed among all living things, even the wild beasts of the earth. Upon your breast shall you travel, and the ground shall you eat, all the days of your life¹⁵I will put enmities between you and the woman, between your offspring and her offspring. She will crush your head, and you will lie in wait for her heel.²⁰And Adam called the name of his wife, ‘Eve,’ because she was the mother of all the living

Acts

Chapter 1

¹²Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain, which is called Olivet, which is next to Jerusalem, within a Sabbath day’s journey¹³And when they had entered into the cenacle, they ascended to the place where Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Jude of James, were staying¹⁴All these were persevering with one accord in prayer with the women, and with Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers

John

Chapter 19

²⁵And standing beside the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, and Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene²⁶Therefore, when Jesus had seen his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold your son.²⁷Next, he said to the disciple, "Behold your mother." And from that hour, the disciple accepted her as his own

Sermon

In today's readings, we journey through two pivotal moments in scripture that offer profound insights into human nature and divine redemption. The first reading from Genesis recounts the aftermath of the Fall, where Adam and Eve, having eaten the forbidden fruit, shift blame and face the consequences of their actions. This narrative underscores the human inclination to evade responsibility and the fractured relationships that result from sin. Conversely, the Gospel from John presents a scene of profound trust and love. As Jesus hangs on the cross, he entrusts his mother to the care of his beloved disciple, illustrating the restoration of relationships through selfless love and trust in God's plan. The context of Genesis 3 reveals the origins of sin and its impact on humanity, highlighting themes of guilt, shame, and separation. In contrast, John 19:25-27 is set amidst the crucifixion, a moment of ultimate sacrifice, where Jesus's concern for his mother exemplifies his enduring love and the establishment of a new familial bond. These passages connect through their exploration of trust—its absence in Eden and its presence in Jesus's final act of love. In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own relationships and trust in God. Just as Adam and Eve faced the consequences of their choices, we must acknowledge our own shortcomings and seek redemption. Jesus's act of entrusting his mother to the disciple reminds us of the transformative power of trust and love. Let us strive to build relationships founded on trust and responsibility, emulating Jesus's selflessness. Through this, we participate in the redemption that restores us to God and to each other.