February 17, 2025, Monday of the sixth week in ordinary time.

A reading from the book of Genesis.

The man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and bore Kane, saying,

I have produced a man with the help of the Lord. Next she bore his brother, Abel. Abel became

a keeper of flocks and Cain a tiller of the soil. In the course of time, Cain brought an offering

to the Lord from the fruit of the soil, while Abel, for his part, brought one of the best firstlings of his flock. The Lord looked

with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not. Cain greatly resented

this and was crestfallen. So the Lord said to Cain, why are you so resentful and crestfallen? If you do well,

you can hold up your head. But if not, sin is a demon lurking at the door. His urge is toward you,

yet you can be his master. Kane said to his brother Abel, let us go out in the field.

When they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

Then the Lord asked Cain, Where is your brother Abel?

He answered, I do not know.

Am I my brother's keeper?

The Lord then said, What have you done?

Listen, your brother's blood cries out to me from the soil.

Therefore, you shall be banned from the soil that opened its mouth to receive your brother's

blood from your hand.

If you till the soil, it shall no longer give you its produce.

You shall become a restless wanderer on the earth.

Cain said to the Lord, my punishment is too great to bear.

Since you have now banished me from the soil, and I must avoid your presence and become a restless

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