9 June 2024 - 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Reading

Liturgical Colour: Green. Year: B(II)

Readings at Mass

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First reading

Genesis 3:9–15

I will put enmity between your offspring and her offspring.

After the man, Adam, had eaten of the tree, the LORD God called to the man and asked him, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden; but I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid myself.” Then he asked, “Who told you that you were naked? You have eaten, then, from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!” The man replied, “The woman whom you put here with me— she gave me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it.” The LORD God then asked the woman, “Why did you do such a thing?” The woman answered, “The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it.”

    Then the LORD God said to the serpent:

“Because you have done this, you shall be banned

    from all the animals

    and from all the wild creatures;

on your belly shall you crawl,

    and dirt shall you eat

    all the days of your life.

I will put enmity between you and the woman,

    and between your offspring and hers;

he will strike at your head,

    while you strike at his heel.”

Commentary

In Genesis 3:9–15, we witness the aftermath of Adam and Eve's disobedience in the Garden of Eden. God confronts them, revealing the consequences of their actions.

1. God's Call (Genesis 3:9): God seeks Adam and Eve despite their hiding, showing His desire for communion with His creation.

2. Adam's Shame (Genesis 3:10): Adam acknowledges his guilt and newfound vulnerability.

3. Blame Shift (Genesis 3:11–13): Adam blames Eve, illustrating humanity's tendency to deflect responsibility for sin.

4. Judgment and Promise (Genesis 3:14–15): God curses the serpent and prophesies the eventual triumph of Christ over evil.

5. Redemption Promise (Genesis 3:15): God promises salvation through the seed of the woman, foreshadowing Christ's victory.

 Genesis 3:9–15 reveals sin's consequences, human culpability, and God's plan for redemption through Christ.

 Lord, may we accept Your forgiveness and embrace Your promise of salvation through Christ. Amen.

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Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 130:1–2, 3–4, 5–6, 7–8

With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;

    Lord, hear my voice!

Let your ears be attentive

    to my voice in supplication.

With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.

If you, O LORD, mark iniquities,

    Lord, who can stand?

But with you is forgiveness,

    that you may be revered.

With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.

I trust in the LORD;

    my soul trusts in his word.

More than sentinels wait for the dawn,

    let Israel wait for the LORD.

With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.

For with the LORD is kindness

    and with him is plenteous redemption;

and he will redeem Israel

    from all their iniquities.

With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.

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Second reading

2 Corinthians 4:13—5:1

We too believe and therefore we speak.

Brothers and sisters: Since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke, we too believe and therefore we speak, knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us with you in his presence. Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God. Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal. For we know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven.

Commentary

2 Corinthians 4:13—5:1 offers insights into faith, suffering, and eternal hope. Paul encourages believers to remain steadfast, highlighting God’s promises and the future glory beyond present trials.

1. Spirit of Faith (4:13) True belief leads to proclamation. Paul and his companions preach boldly, trusting in God’s promises.

2. Resurrection Hope (4:14) Just as God raised Jesus, He will raise believers, giving hope and courage to endure hardships.

3. Purpose of Suffering (4:16-17) Temporary sufferings produce eternal glory, renewing believers inwardly day by day.

4. Eternal Perspective (4:18) Focus on the eternal, not the temporary, to transcend current sufferings.

5. Earthly Tent and Heavenly Dwelling (5:1) Our bodies are temporary, but God promises an eternal heavenly dwelling, providing comfort and hope.

Paul encourages believers to maintain faith and view sufferings with an eternal perspective, confident in the glorious future God has prepared.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the hope we have in Jesus and the promise of eternal life. Strengthen our faith to boldly proclaim Your truth. Help us to see our sufferings as temporary and fix our eyes on the eternal glory You have prepared for us. Remind us daily of our heavenly home, giving us courage and comfort in all we face.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

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Gospel Acclamation

John 12:31b-32

Alleluia, alleluia.

Now the ruler of this world will be driven out, says the Lord;

and when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.

Alleluia, alleluia.

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Gospel

Mark 3:20–35

It is the end of Satan.

Jesus came home with his disciples. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “By the prince of demons he drives out demons.”

    Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him. But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder the house. Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.” For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.” 

    His mother and his brothers arrived. Standing outside they sent word to him and called him. A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.” But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

Commentary

Mark 3:20–35 highlights key moments in Jesus' ministry, focusing on misunderstandings, opposition, and the true nature of his spiritual family.

1. Misunderstanding by Family (3:20-21) Jesus’ family thinks he is out of his mind, showing their lack of understanding of his mission.

2. Opposition from Scribes (3:22) The scribes accuse Jesus of using demonic power to cast out demons, reflecting their hostility and misunderstanding.

3. Jesus’ Response to Accusations (3:23-27) Jesus explains that a divided kingdom cannot stand, illustrating that his power over demons comes from the Holy Spirit, not Satan.

4. Warning about Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit (3:28-30) Jesus warns that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is unforgivable, emphasizing the seriousness of rejecting God’s work.

5. Redefining Family (3:31-35) Jesus declares that those who do God’s will are his true family, highlighting spiritual kinship over biological ties.

In Mark 3:20–35, Jesus addresses misunderstandings and opposition, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and following God's will to be part of his spiritual family.

Help us understand Your will and recognize Your work in our lives. Guide us to be part of Your spiritual family through obedience and faithfulness. Amen.

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Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)

Bishop of Geneva and Doctor of the Church

Letter to Prsident Brulart, St Francis de Sales

Our Lord knows what he is doing: let's do what he wants!

        We must consider that there is no vocation that does not have its troubles, its bitterness and aversions, and, which is more - if not those who are fully resigned in the will of God - everyone would likely exchange your condition for that of others: those who are bishops would like to be not; Those who are married would like to be not, and those who are not would like it so.

         Where do these general fretful spirits come from, if not from a certain displeasure that we have at constraint, and a malignancy of mind that makes us think that everyone is better off than us? But it is all one: anyone who is not fully resigned, that he turns from side to side, he will never have rest. Those who have a fever are never content, they do not stay a quarter of an hour in a bed they would like to be in another; It’s not the fault of the bed, but it’s the fever that torments them everywhere. A person who does not have the fever for his own will is satisfied with everything; As long as God is served, she does not care in what quality God uses her: as long as she does the divine will, all is equal to her. But that's not all. You must not only want to do the will of God, but to be devoted, you must do it with pleasure. (…)

         "I would like this and that; I would be better here and there": these are temptations. Our Lord knows what he is doing: let's do what he wants, let's stay where he put us.

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