Scripture:Book of Genesis, 2:7-9; 3:1-7
“…it is only about the fruit of the tree
in the middle of the garden that God said,
‘You shall not eat it or even touch it, lest you die.’”
But the serpent said to the woman:
“You certainly will not die!
No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it
your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods
who know what is good and what is evil.”
Reflection:
Here in this conversation between the first human being and the serpent we have an example of the knowledge of truth twisted by temptation. Eve’s contemplation on the tree of life among all the trees of the garden leads her to consider what the food from that tree will yield to her and Adam. Knowledge of good and evil, the serpent tells her. At this point, Eve has been tempted, but has not offended God. Only by yielding to this temptation, by defying God and eating the fruit of the forbidden tree, does Eve offend God. Indeed, as God had told her would be the case, she has succumbed – died—by violating the rule of the tree of life: do not touch; do not eat. Further, she deepens the offense by feeding the forbidden fruit to Adam. With this act, together they have taken over the rule of God and replaced it with their own will. They have exposed their nakedness to themselves and each other. In other words, they know what they have lost by ignoring God’s law. God always reigns, and does so with love. Rather than abandoning man and woman after their grievous offense, God sent his Son to make amends for the original human offense. Through the gift of the Son, God loved his human creation back to life, not merely earthly life, but eternal life.
Practice:
The story of Adam and Eve, together with the story of redemption by the Son of God, are stories of hope. No offense is so grievous that God abandons us forever. To accept this is to trust that Lent well spent leads to Easter. Hope springs! Let us not spend Lent in isolation, though. Let us sacrifice and do penance with joy, the joy that comes with the hope of Easter, the joy that brings others with us to Easter. How? Simply be available to others. Be a listener to one who needs a listener. Be a help to one who needs simple assistance. During this Lent, let us reflect the joy and the hope of the Son of God in our relationships with others.
Dr. Joan Venditto, Director of Education Programs