Daily Readings - Mon Dec 09 2019
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.
Ephesians
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love5he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.11In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
Luke
26In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary.28The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.30But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.31You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."34"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"35The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.37For nothing is impossible with God."38"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through the narrative of humanity's relationship with God, from the fall to redemption. The first reading from Genesis recounts the story of Adam and Eve, where their disobedience leads to a fractured relationship with God. This moment marks the beginning of sin, highlighting the consequences of turning away from God's will. The second reading from Ephesians offers a contrasting narrative, revealing God's eternal plan of redemption. It emphasizes that we were chosen before the foundation of the world, destined for adoption through Christ, highlighting the depth of God's grace and love. The Gospel from Luke presents the Annunciation, where Mary's obedience undoes Eve's disobedience. Her "Yes" to God's plan initiates the redemption of humanity, demonstrating trust and surrender.
These readings are interconnected, illustrating God's plan from the fall to redemption. The fall in Genesis sets the stage for the need of a Savior, while Ephesians explains the divine plan to restore humanity through Christ. Mary's obedience in Luke is the pivotal moment where this plan begins, showing how her trust in God's will brings salvation. Together, they reveal God's enduring love and the importance of trust and obedience.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our relationship with God. Like Adam and Eve, we face choices that can lead us away from God, but through Christ, we are offered redemption. Mary's example teaches us the power of saying "Yes" to God, embracing His will with faith. As we navigate life's challenges, may we trust in God's plan, just as Mary did, and open ourselves to His grace, allowing His love to transform us.