The Commemoration of The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise
"The Lord my Creator took me as dust from the earth
and formed me into a living creature,
breathing into me the breath of life
and giving me a soul;
He honored me, setting me as ruler upon earth
over all things visible,
and making me companion of the angels.
But Satan the deceiver, using the serpent as his instrument, enticed me by food;
he parted me from the glory of God
and gave me over to the earth and to the lowest depths of death.
But, Master, in compassion call me back again."
- Saturday Vespers from The Lenten Triodion
Lent is a spiritual journey that takes us from repentance to restoration - from ruin to reconciliation. Like the Prodigal Son, we experience in time, the descent into spiritual isolation apart from our Father, so that we may seek to return, or ascend to Him, and be "re-clothed" in the first robe that He has kept for us in eager anticipation of our return.
At first I thought it strange that the Church would commemorate both the casting-out of Adam and Eve and the theme of forgiveness on the same Sunday. But, as I've discovered time and time again - there is much more going on than it appears!!
THE STARTING POINT
As post-resurrection (of Jesus) Christians we have something of an advantage over the contemporary disciples of Jesus; we know what happens next. Therefore, the church is very wise in that it encourages us as we begin our commemorative journey to remember a few things:
- We need to be mindful of our brokenness, but not be depressed about it or obsessed with it. We should begin our journey from the right place - in humility.
- We need to be mindful that we have already been forgiven by God, and therefore can hope in the "bright sadness" of Lent - then when Lent breaks into the dawn of Pascha - we can fully rejoice in the fulfillment of God's favor upon us.
Lenten fasting is not an attempt to gain God's approval by our ability to diet!! It is not following some dietary law that we might become "superior" to those who do not. Lent is a tool for the development of humility, and it helps develop a full-heart.
In the beautiful passage quoted above, from The Lenten Triodion (the book of services for Lent that is used by Orthodox Christians,) there is a line that I think emphasizes one of the many messages of the Lenten season:
"But Satan the deceiver, using the serpent as his instrument, enticed me by food;"
This passage reminds me that food or virtually anything that is good for life can also have the potential of leading us into death - depending on the attitude of our minds and hearts toward it. For example, human relationships can be based on love and mutual respect , or they can become a vehicle for domination and abuse. When I consider the deeper meanings of the temptation of Adam and Eve, I can see in it not only the deception of Satan, but also the deceitful words of Eve, and the irresponsibility of Adam in communicating the truth about "the fruit" to his wife. This is why all parties in the exchange were held accountable for their actions.
Like Adam, we often justify our behavior by blaming others - thereby making them "less" than us - Adam did not humble himself before God and ask forgiveness - instead he "blamed" God for giving him Eve, who he had blamed for deceiving him. Adam, instead of asking for mercy - declared himself to be an innocent victim of others.
This is why during the Forgiveness Vespers, which are also celebrated this Sunday, each member of the local Church bows before the other asking for mutual forgiveness - the bow bringing each person into submission to the other, and the mutual forgiving reminding us of how each of us is responsible for our own sinful behavior to each other and to God, Who forgives us as we forgive others. (Matt. 6:14) - This is DOING Christianity - not just being a Christian!
Lent is learning to discipline and overcome our devouring appetites.
To paraphrase a hackneyed line - "it isn't what we eat, it's what's eating us."
No comments:
Post a Comment