Daily Readings - Mon May 20 2024

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 encounter two profound moments from Scripture that invite us to reflect on the human condition and God's plan of salvation. The first reading from Genesis recounts the story of Adam and Eve after they have eaten the forbidden fruit. Their actions lead to a confrontation with God, where each tries to shift blame—Adam to Eve, and Eve to the serpent. This narrative sets the stage for the fallen state of humanity and the introduction of redemption through the promised enmity between the serpent's offspring and the woman's. Adam then names Eve, acknowledging her role as the mother of all living beings. The Gospel reading from John presents a poignant scene at the cross. As Jesus faces his final moments, he ensures the care of his mother, Mary, by entrusting her to the beloved disciple. This act underscores Jesus' compassion and the significance of familial bonds, even amidst suffering. It also highlights Mary's role as a mother figure in the early Christian community, symbolizing the Church's nurturing role. These readings connect through their portrayal of mother figures—Eve, the first mother, and Mary, the mother of Jesus. Both stories touch on themes of redemption and the consequences of human actions. Eve's story introduces original sin and the promise of a savior, while Mary's story embodies the fulfillment of that promise. The connection between these narratives reminds us of God's enduring plan and the transformative power of love and sacrifice. In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace responsibility for our actions and to trust in God's providence. They remind us of the importance of family and the role of mothers in nurturing life and faith. The moral lesson here is one of redemption and love—despite our failures, God's plan prevails, offering us grace and the hope of salvation. As we reflect on these stories, may we find strength in our faith and strive to live out God's love in our own families and communities.