Sunday, June 9, 2024
The Easter Season in the Liturgical Calendar concluded with the Feast of the Pentecost. But before Ordinary Time resumes, the Church dedicates two Sundays to celebrating the Holy Trinity and the Body and Blood of Christ. This week, and for the remainder of the Liturgical Year, we return the Sundays of Ordinary Time. (Read Reflection on page 3 for more about the season of Ordinary Time)
As with the Readings in Ordinary Time, today’s first reading is taken from the Old Testament. The readings recall sin, suffering, and redemption. They speak of how sin entered God’s creation, its consequences, and the necessity of God’s redemption for our salvation. They serve as a reminder of our human imperfections and the need to seek forgiveness and grace from the Lord. The readings show us what to expect and encourage us to reflect on our behaviors, seek spiritual growth, and strive to remain in the family of God by doing His will.
The story of Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden reveals the origin of sin in the human heart. With pride and conceit, they desired to “be like God,” which led them to rebel against His command, with devastating consequences. God asked the couple: “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat?” (Genesis 3:11). God does not ask questions because he does not know the answers; rather, He wants us to reflect on who we are, our behaviors, and what drives them. The sins of Adam and Eve disrupted the harmony of God’s perfect creation, bringing suffering, labor, and death into the world. Yet, as God asserted judgment, He promised a Redeemer who would overcome the powers of evil and bring salvation to the people. The Gospel is the fulfillment of that promise through His Son, Jesus.
In a selection from his letter to the Corinthians in our second reading, St. Paul ruminates on the difficulties Christians face but affirms Christ’s death and resurrection have conquered the power of sin and death, giving the way to eternal life for all who believe. “Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. We look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Cor 4:16,18).
And in today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that we are all connected to God as family members when we do His will. Like Adam and Eve, we struggle with temptations and suffer the effects of sin in our lives and in our world. But we have hope in the unwavering promise of redemption found in Christ to cling to, to submit ourselves to His merciful hands, to surrender our will to Him, to trust and strive to live as new creations, preparing ourselves for the end of our earthly journey when we are forever in God’s presence.
Go in Peace to Love and Serve the Lord.