WHERE ARE YOU?

Too often our church people brush off the Adan and Eve, plus the apple, story as a simple story to be enjoyed, but it does not have too many consequences. 

 

We will see that in the simple story are deep truths that affect everyone  of us  today.

 

The people of the Old Testament were desert people. They could picture the blessings of God in terms of a productive garden with food security. This God does by placing Adan and Eve in the garden. There is only one guideline: they are not to eat the fruit of a particular tree.

 

They collapse into the temptation (i.e. The snake has an evil name) and run and hide. 

 

God comes looking for them. Surely God should have known where they were hiding. But he calls out to those wayward and frightened human beings: Where are you?

 

Now take this question and apply it to ourselves; June, 2024.

 

Where are you in becoming a Church of the poor? Pope Francis has challenged all of Christianity (not just Catholics) to become a church for the poor. Has your vision enlarged that you recognize, accept and support the poor who are so close to you?  Are you standi ng in the heart-space that cares for the poor right around your dwelling place?

 

Where do you stand with regard to the care for the earth? The polar ice at either end of the globe is melting. The earth groans under the warming that is happening. What concern moves  your heart? What responsibilities are you taking now to ensure that your great-great grandchildren can live and thrive on this earth? Where do you stand in regard to global warming?

 

Where do I stand with regard to the people who are different from the majority who have controlling power in this society? Do I support division and look down upon people who  are First Nations, immigrants, people of colored minorities, those who have handicap limitations and the elderly?  Where do I stand in ensuring that they are treated equally in all parts of our society? 

 

Where do I stand with support and care for the elderly in our society and/or family? Not only legal respect, but how well do we support them in their loneliness, the diminishing health and their social connections? The opposite of care for the elderly is that some families that drop off their elderly mother at the nursing home and then only check in once or twice a year. Where do I stand with regard to the elderly of my own family? 

 

Adam and Eve were hiding because they turned away from God. Now, that same question is so useful in our own lives.  Take other questions and ask that same questions of yourself: Where do you stand in following and living up to the directives bthat God has given us?