Daily Readings - Mon Jun 10 2019
First Reading - Genesis 3.9-15, 20 or Acts 1.12-14
Genesis
9But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, "Where are you?"10And he said, "I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself."11He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?"12The man said, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate."13Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."14The LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life.15I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."20The man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.
Acts
12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away.13And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James.14All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
John
25but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.26When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!"27Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
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.