Daily Readings - Fri Dec 08 2017
First Reading - Genesis 3.9-15, 20
Genesis
9And the Lord God called Adam and said to him: "Where are you?10And he said, "I heard your voice in Paradise, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and so I hid myself.11He said to him, "Then who told you that you were naked, if you have not eaten of the tree from which I instructed you that you should not eat?12And Adam said, "The woman, whom you gave to me as a companion, gave to me from the tree, and I ate.13And the Lord God said to the woman, "Why have you done this?" And she responded, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate.14And the Lord God said to the serpent: "Because you have done this, you are cursed among all living things, even the wild beasts of the earth. Upon your breast shall you travel, and the ground shall you eat, all the days of your life15I will put enmities between you and the woman, between your offspring and her offspring. She will crush your head, and you will lie in wait for her heel.20And Adam called the name of his wife, ‘Eve,’ because she was the mother of all the living
Second Reading - Ephesians 1.3-6, 11-12
Ephesians
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, in Christ4just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy and immaculate in his sight, in charity5He has predestined us to adoption as sons, through Jesus Christ, in himself, according to the purpose of his will6for the praise of the glory of his grace, with which he has gifted us in his beloved Son11In him, we too are called to our portion, having been predestined in accord with the plan of the One who accomplishes all things by the counsel of his will12So may we be, to the praise of his glory, we who have hoped beforehand in Christ
Gospel - Luke 1.26-38
Luke
26Then, in the sixth month, the Angel Gabriel was sent by God, to a city of Galilee named Nazareth27to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the name of the virgin was Mary28And upon entering, the Angel said to her: "Hail, full of grace. The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.29And when she had heard this, she was disturbed by his words, and she considered what kind of greeting this might be30And the Angel said to her: "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace with God31Behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and you shall bear a son, and you shall call his name: JESUS32He will be great, and he will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. And he will reign in the house of Jacob for eternity33And his kingdom shall have no end.34Then Mary said to the Angel, "How shall this be done, since I do not know man?35And in response, the Angel said to her: "The Holy Spirit will pass over you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. And because of this also, the Holy One who will be born of you shall be called the Son of God36And behold, your cousin Elizabeth has herself also conceived a son, in her old age. And this is the sixth month for her who is called barren37For no word will be impossible with God.38Then Mary said: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word." And the Angel departed from her
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through pivotal moments in scripture that illuminate the human condition and God's plan of redemption. The first reading from Genesis recounts the aftermath of the Fall, where Adam and Eve confront their sin, leading to separation from God. This narrative underscores the consequences of disobedience and the introduction of suffering into the world. The second reading from Ephesians shifts our gaze to the blessings bestowed upon us in Christ, emphasizing predestination and adoption as children of God, highlighting the divine plan to restore humanity. The Gospel presents the Annunciation, where Mary's faithful "yes" to God's will initiates the redemption of humanity through the birth of Jesus.
These readings are deeply interconnected. The Fall in Genesis sets the stage for the need for redemption, which is fulfilled in Christ as described in Ephesians. Mary's obedience in Luke contrasts with Eve's disobedience, illustrating the reversal of the Fall through faith and trust in God. Together, they reveal the narrative arc from sin to redemption, emphasizing God's enduring love and mercy.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on our own relationship with sin and redemption. Like Adam and Eve, we all face moments of temptation and failure, but through faith and trust in God's plan, we can find redemption. Mary's example teaches us the power of surrender and obedience, encouraging us to embrace God's will in our lives. As we navigate life's challenges, we are reminded that our faith can transform our struggles into opportunities for growth and closer union with God.
The moral and spiritual reflection here is clear: our journey with God is one of trust and surrender. Just as Mary accepted God's plan with humility and faith, we too can embrace God's will in our lives, knowing that His plan is for our good. In moments of doubt or sin, we turn to Christ, who restores us and offers us new life. Let us strive to live with the faith and obedience of Mary, trusting in God's plan and allowing His grace to transform us.