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, "Where are you?"10He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."11And he said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?"12The man said, "The woman you put here with me-she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it."13Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."14So the LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, "Cursed are you above all the livestock and all the wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life.15And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."20Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living.
Acts
12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city.13When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.14They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
John
25Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.26When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son,"27and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his 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.