Daily Readings - Mon Jun 10 2019
First Reading - Genesis 3.9-15, 20 or Acts 1.12-14
Genesis
9And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?10And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.11And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?12And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.13And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.14And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:15And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.20And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.
Acts
12Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.13And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.14These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
John
25Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.26When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!27Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto 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.