Daily Readings - Mon Jun 09 2025

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

The readings today invite us to reflect on the human condition, the consequences of sin, and the transformative power of love and faith. In the first reading from Genesis, we witness the aftermath of Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden. After eating the forbidden fruit, they hide from God, and when questioned, they shift blame—to the serpent, to each other, and ultimately to God himself. This passage reveals the fundamental human tendency to avoid responsibility and the brokenness that sin introduces into relationships. Yet, even amidst this brokenness, God announces a promise: the serpent will be defeated, and through the offspring of the woman, salvation will come. This is the first hint of redemption in the Bible, a promise that points to the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death. In the Gospel, we see the fulfillment of that promise. At the foot of the cross, Jesus, in his final moments, entrusts his mother Mary to the care of the beloved disciple. This act of love and concern for his mother, even in the midst of his own suffering, reveals the depth of Jesus’ humanity and his commitment to caring for others. It also highlights the significance of relationships and family, even in the face of death. Mary, as the mother of Jesus, becomes a symbol of the Church and the universal motherhood of God’s people. By giving her to the disciple, Jesus extends his love and care to all humanity, inviting us to live as one family united in faith and love. These readings remind us that our lives are shaped by both sin and grace. Like Adam and Eve, we all experience the effects of sin—broken relationships, fear, and a tendency to shift blame. But like Mary, we are called to trust in God’s plan, even when it is difficult to understand. Jesus’ words from the cross teach us the importance of caring for one another, especially in times of suffering. As we reflect on these passages, let us ask ourselves: How do we respond to sin and brokenness in our own lives? Do we turn to God in trust, or do we hide? And how do we care for one another, especially those who are most in need? May we learn to live with humility, trust, and love, following the example of Christ.