Daily Readings - Sun Jun 09 2024
Genesis
8And when they had heard the voice of the Lord God taking a walk in Paradise in the afternoon breeze, Adam and his wife hid themselves from the face of the Lord God in the midst of the trees of Paradise9And 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.
2 Corinthians
13But we have the same Spirit of faith. And just as it is written, "I believed, and for that reason I spoke," so we also believe, and for that reason, we also speak14For we know that the One who raised up Jesus will raise us up also with Jesus and will place us with you15Thus, all is for you, so that grace, abounding through many in thanksgiving, may abound to the glory of God16For this reason, we are not insufficient. But it is as though our outer man is corrupted, while our inner man is renewed from day to day17For though our tribulation is, at the present time, brief and light, it accomplishes in us the weight of a sublime eternal glory, beyond measure18And we are contemplating, not the things that are seen, but the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are temporal, whereas the things that are not seen are eternal
Mark
20And they went to a house, and the crowd gathered together again, so much so that they were not even able to eat bread21And when his own had heard of it, they went out to take hold of him. For they said: "Because he has gone mad.22And the scribes who had descended from Jerusalem said, "Because he has Beelzebub, and because by the prince of demons does he cast out demons.23And having called them together, he spoke to them in parables: "How can Satan cast out Satan24For if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom is not able to stand25And if a house is divided against itself, that house is not able to stand26And if Satan has risen up against himself, he would be divided, and he would not be able to stand; instead he reaches the end27No one is able to plunder the goods of a strong man, having entered into the house, unless he first binds the strong man, and then he shall plunder his house28Amen I say to you, that all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and the blasphemies by which they will have blasphemed29But he who will have blasphemed against the Holy Spirit shall not have forgiveness in eternity; instead he shall be guilty of an eternal offense.30For they said: "He has an unclean spirit.31And his mother and brothers arrived. And standing outside, they sent to him, calling him32And the crowd was sitting around him. And they said to him, "Behold, your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.33And responding to them, he said, "Who is my mother and my brothers?34And looking around at those who were sitting all around him, he said: "Behold, my mother and my brothers35For whoever has done the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister and mother.
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through themes of sin, hope, and redefined family, guiding us to reflect on our spiritual lives and communities.
The first reading from Genesis recounts the fall of Adam and Eve, where fear and blame follow their disobedience. This story introduces sin into the world, highlighting the consequences of turning away from God. It reminds us that sin creates division, not just between humanity and God, but also within ourselves and our relationships.
The second reading from Corinthians offers hope amidst struggles. Paul encourages endurance, focusing on eternal glory over temporary hardships. This passage reminds us to trust in God's plan, even when facing challenges, and to find strength in our faith. It bridges the gap between the fallen state in Genesis and the redemption offered through Christ.
In the Gospel, Mark presents Jesus facing accusations and redefining family. Jesus' teachings emphasize that true family is those who follow God's will, highlighting the importance of spiritual community. His words about the unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit caution against rejecting God's grace, urging us to remain open to the Spirit's work in our lives.
These readings together invite us to acknowledge our sinfulness, trust in God's grace, and build a spiritual family. Let us face our shortcomings honestly, trust in God's plan, and nurture our spiritual communities, remembering that true strength lies in faith and unity.