Wellspring of Scripture

 

Year B: 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Genesis 3: 9-15

The First Reading takes us to the mythical first encounter between human beings and the seductive power of evil. Its link with the Gospel is simply the difficulties human beings still have sometimes in identifying what is of God and what is of evil.

 

It seems strange that this should be so but, as Scripture puts it the serpent was “more crafty” or “more subtle” or “more cunning” depending upon the translation you choose. Evil tempts us by seeming to offer that which is good - problems only arise afterwards when we see the results.

 

For Adam and Eve, the consequence was a loss of innocence - shame at being naked - afraid of the Lord God who had created them.

 

This is how we can feel when we have succumbed to temptation - aware of what we have lost - ashamed - afraid of God.

 

Yet the message Jesus proclaimed was of Good News - of the great love God has for his people. The death of Jesus reconciled the world to God. The power of evil has been broken.

We share the frailty of the first humans but have the hope that, had we been in the crowd surrounding  Jesus, he would have included us in his family. We strive to do the will of God - but failure does not necessarily cause the separation felt by Adam and Eve.

 

We may feel ashamed and afraid - but Jesus has claimed us as mother and brothers and sisters and the one who died for us will not abandon us to the power of evil.

 

 What does it mean for me?

Waterlily When have you chosen to do something that seemed easy or "right" only to discover that you have been tempted into wrong-doing?

What tools can you use to help you to discern between good and evil?

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