A new perspective

 

I love that the Holy Spirit continues to bless me with new perspectives in my reflections on the Scriptures.  Today, as I reflected on Adam’s and Eve’s banishment from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:9-24), He put an image in my mind of an experience we’ve probably all shared at several times in our lives.  I’m talking about first encounters with stoves or fireplaces or other experiences where we learn about—or teach our children about putting ourselves in danger without knowing about it, and how to avoid it.

When babies begin to toddle around, they get very curious about everything.  Inevitably, they find themselves next to a hot stove or fireplace and every adult in the room jumps and shouts “NO!”, before someone picks them up, explains that the fire is hot, and ‘banishes’ them to another spot in the house until they can learn not to get too close.  Often, the child cries because she is afraid and is sad that we appear to be mad at her.  We have to explain to the child that we’re not mad; we’re simply protecting her for her own good.  We only wish the best for her; we don’t want her to get hurt.  (Point of order, here:  I use the pronouns “her” and “she” because I have daughters and granddaughters—no other reason.)

In the same way, God wishes our health and wholeness.  God wishes the best for us.  The Spirit prompted me today to see the “banishment” with new eyes.  For instance, in the past when I read the words from the Lord “. . .You have eaten, then, from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!” I have (and I think many have) interpreted this verse as a loud, angry voice from above shaking His finger, accusing Adam of being naughty, therefore requiring punishment.  But when I remember that God is loving and generous, I hear a sad voice simply stating what Adam has done.  And, in a way, as expressed by Jesus, having pity on Adam because now, Adam is afraid.  Eating from the tree of good and evil has introduced Adam to fear.  This saddens the Lord. 

So when we reach the part of the story where it reads: “Then the Lord God said: “See! The man has become like one of us, knowing what is good and what is evil!  Therefore, he must not be allowed to put out his hand to take fruit from the tree of life also, and thus eat of it and live forever.”  The Lord God therefore banished him for the garden of Eden”, I hear it in a new way.  I hear not that God is angry and Adam is being punished but that the Lord is protecting Adam from living forever with the fear he now knows.  Our image of God is so important when reading scripture.  The perspective/lens we bring brings life to the words on the page and influences what we hear in those words.  I know that this is just one lens through which to read this story, but it brought me great consolation today to read it through the eyes of a loving God whom Jesus reveals to us, who has pity on us and desires us to be nourished and cared for (Mark 8:1-10).

We’ve all heard the story of the loaves and fish so many times we might take it for granted as just another miracle story.  What struck me reading Mark’s version today was how much the Lord absolutely cares for those following Him.  “His heart was moved”, if they don’t eat, “they will collapse on the way”, “they have a long distance” to travel.  Rather than just a miracle story, it also reads like a love story.  And so it is with us.  The Lord loves us, His followers of today, in very much the same way.

Jesus desires to enter into our lives, wherever we may be, physically or spiritually and help with our needs.  He knows we have a long journey ahead; He knows that at times we’re weak, and ready to collapse.  And in these situations, He doesn’t abandon us, He provides for us.  The Lord doesn’t just wait for us at the finish line of life, evaluating how we’re doing, He’s right with us on our journey, moved by our struggles and ready to enter into them.

As in any true love story, it takes two.  As much as we need to love The Lord, what’s more important and often harder, is for us to accept His love.  The Lord continues to pour out that love in the most beautiful way imaginable…the giving of Himself in the Eucharist.

As we think of those we love on earth, let’s not forget to love the One who made us, but more importantly, to accept the love and care He so abundantly provides in our lives.

As we go about our day today and continue to walk through life during a pandemic, I wonder what other shifts in perspective we may be invited to?   How are we being invited to remember our God as a God of Love?  How are we being invited to reveal God to one another as Jesus reveals God to us?