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, "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
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.