Daily Readings - Mon May 20 2024
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 encounter two profound moments from Scripture that invite us to reflect on the human condition and God's plan of salvation. The first reading from Genesis recounts the story of Adam and Eve after they have eaten the forbidden fruit. Their actions lead to a confrontation with God, where each tries to shift blame—Adam to Eve, and Eve to the serpent. This narrative sets the stage for the fallen state of humanity and the introduction of redemption through the promised enmity between the serpent's offspring and the woman's. Adam then names Eve, acknowledging her role as the mother of all living beings.
The Gospel reading from John presents a poignant scene at the cross. As Jesus faces his final moments, he ensures the care of his mother, Mary, by entrusting her to the beloved disciple. This act underscores Jesus' compassion and the significance of familial bonds, even amidst suffering. It also highlights Mary's role as a mother figure in the early Christian community, symbolizing the Church's nurturing role.
These readings connect through their portrayal of mother figures—Eve, the first mother, and Mary, the mother of Jesus. Both stories touch on themes of redemption and the consequences of human actions. Eve's story introduces original sin and the promise of a savior, while Mary's story embodies the fulfillment of that promise. The connection between these narratives reminds us of God's enduring plan and the transformative power of love and sacrifice.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace responsibility for our actions and to trust in God's providence. They remind us of the importance of family and the role of mothers in nurturing life and faith. The moral lesson here is one of redemption and love—despite our failures, God's plan prevails, offering us grace and the hope of salvation. As we reflect on these stories, may we find strength in our faith and strive to live out God's love in our own families and communities.