The fall

This Lent, as we reflect upon the nature of sin, the story of Adam and Eve can be instructive for us. What was their sin? Disobedience, yes, but what was the temptation? Were they just hungry for a piece of fruit? No, the serpent tells us that they would be like gods who know what is good and what is bad. Their temptation was to think that they were on the level of God. Theirs was primarily a sin of pride.

They quickly realized that something was not right, especially when God came looking for them! They both blamed someone else for what they did, acknowledging their guilt but trying to avoid the consequences. Some things don’t change.

We know they paid the consequences of their choice, no longer living in perfect harmony with God, but forced out into the real world to make their living as best they could. And the story of the human race gets under way.

The sin of pride is still a deadly one. Not being in proper relationship with God and with each other has led to wars, crime, and all sorts of ungodlike attitudes and activity. Let’s pray this Lent for the humility to realize our place in the grand scheme of creation and work to fulfill our role as best we can, always keeping in mind that, even though we are no longer in the Garden of Eden, God still walks with us and loves us.

“God is at home. It is we who have gone out for a walk.” (Meister Eckhart, 13th century)