The Fall of Man The Way of the Day

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. The Sign of the Cross In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

A reading from the book of Genesis The serpent was the most subtle of all the wild beasts that the Lord God had made. It asked the woman, 'Did God really say you were not to eat from any of the trees in the garden?’ The woman answered the serpent, 'We may eat he fruit of the trees in the garden. But of the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden God said, "You must not eat it, nor touch it, under pain of death”.' Then the serpent said to the woman, 'No! You will not die! God knows in fact that on the day you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, knowing good and evil.' - Genesis 3:1-5

Adam and Eve are not alone in the garden Adam and Eve are not alone in the garden. A serpent that challenges their obedience to God and their relationship with God tempts them. The serpent implies that God is withholding something from them – he tells them a lie. They believe the lie rather than trusting that God was telling the truth and that God would take care of them. They choose to break God’s rule and choose themselves over God.

The harmony that humanity lived in with God was broken The harmony that humanity lived in with God was broken. Adam and Eve became afraid of God, rather than trusting in God. They felt ashamed around each other, and the relationship they had with creation was also distorted. We call the moment that Adam and Eve chose against God ‘Original Sin’ and every person is impacted by it. The consequences of original sin are suffering, evil, and ultimately death. Pause for a moment to think about where you see the effects of Original Sin in your life and in the world around us.

God loves us, though, and didn’t abandon us to sin and death God loves us, though, and didn’t abandon us to sin and death. God makes a big promise – a promise much bigger than the lie that the serpent made. God promises to send us a saviour that will rescue us. That saviour is Jesus.

Let’s pray together to our Father in heaven: Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name; Thy kingdom come Thy will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses As we forgive those who trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen. St John Paul the second, pray for us

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. The Sign of the Cross In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen