GOSPEL MESSAGE & RECORDING
We have returned to a familiar situation this Sunday. Because of the resurgence of the pandemic, we must celebrate the Divine Liturgy in this limited capacity. We have, in a sense, been kicked out of Eden, though not because of anyone’s sin. This, however, gives us a great opportunity to reflect on a theme that is found amongst the Fathers. The theme of how St. Mary has become the “New Eve.”
When Adam and Eve ate from the Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, they fled and hid from God. God was, at every moment, allowing Adam and Eve to repent, but they would not do so. Because of the shame of disobeying God, and realizing their faults, Adam and Eve broke off their relationship and their communion with God. They did not know that God was looking for them to return to Him and to repent, even though they had just eaten from the Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge and as it is stated “when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Even with this knowledge, they could not comprehend that God wanted them to ask for forgiveness through His questions. It was due to the shame of their entanglement with sin that caused them to hide from God. And with regards to their exile from Eden, it could be stated that God only made the pronouncement that they were banished from Eden, for the moment that they sinned, they had already left that place of Paradise.
Our reasoning for why we are not gathered together today is not because of a great sin that we may have committed, nor is it due to a shame but because of this pandemic. But this idea of breaking off our relationship with God because of our sins is likened to Adam and Eve’s exile. This is why this story is not one that we are called to emulate, but rather it is a story that speaks about how we treat our spiritual life at times.
Now on the other side of this story, you may have heard it being said that St. Mary’s obedience takes the place of Eve’s disobedience. St. Mary has become the “new Eve,” and in this Gospel portion, she stands boldly before the angel and says “Behold the maidservant of the Lord!” This is how we are to approach our Lord. Because, so often do we take the position of Eve, in our spiritual journey, and we “hide” from God. In other words, we stop praying or choose to not participate in the life of the Church because of any multitude of reasons. The worst reason for staying away from God comes from being ashamed of our sins to the point of not even wanting to come to God for forgiveness. When we have this excuse, we have then fallen for the greatest illusion which the Devil places before us.
God is always open to forgive us of our sins, but we must earnestly pray for it. St. Jacob of Serug writes that “He [Christ] taught you to pray ‘Forgive me my debts and sins.’ He desires to forgive and so He taught this prayer. If the face of God were not turned towards forgiveness, He would not have taught us to say, ‘Forgive us, Lord.’” God’s Mercy, Grace, and Compassion are always available for us, no matter the sin that we commit; all that is asked of us is to come and knock at the door of mercy and it will be opened for you.
My dear brothers and sisters, in this new wave of the pandemic, take the time to contemplate your own lives. Ask yourselves, “Have I turned away from God for any reason? Am I making an excuse to not grow closer to Him?” If we are going to face another shutdown, let us not waste this opportunity to reflect on our lives and see where we are with regards to our spiritual journey with God. If there is a place in which you can answer yes, then do not think that this is the end of the world. For God loves us unconditionally, for “We love Him because He first loved us.” Therefore, never be afraid to go to our God and ask for forgiveness and mercy, for He is always ready to give us what our hearts desire the most, that being a reunion with the One who loved, loves, and will always love us.