Daily Readings - Mon Jun 09 2025
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
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.