EFFECTS OF SIN - A: 1st Sun in Lent

First Reading: Gen 2:7-9; 3:1-7 (26 February 2023)

“But of the fruit of tree in the middle of the garden God said, ‘You must not eat it, nor touch it, under pain of death’” (Gen 3:3).

The first reading presents the story of the so-called fall of mankind, when our first parents in the Judeo-Christian tradition fell from God’s grace after they disobeyed him. In the Genesis story, they violated his one restriction of not partaking of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil (2:17). But we may wonder: Why would God be so particular with this trivial prohibition that triggered him later to cast them out of paradise by virtue of their one-time fault? Can he not be a forgiving God just as what his divine nature ideally dictates? Why did he act so radically, making a decision that lethally devastate and destroy the future of mankind?

In answer, one should put to mind that Genesis 1–11 is a collection of myths that the Israelites used to explain in simple terms the origin of the world and the advent of evil. The images of a talking serpent (3:1), an alluring fruit (v. 6), and an anthropological deity who walks in a garden (v. 8) should not be taken as factual. Genesis 2–3 employ mythological characters that were adopted from existing Ancient Near East literature (e.g., Enuma Elish, Epic of Gilgamesh, and Epic of Atra-Hasis) to underscore that it is the human creatures who brought sin into the world by their wrong decisions.

More than informing us of what transpired in the beginning, the narrative unfolds the nature of sin, which is explained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church as “an offense against reason, truth, and right conscience; it is a failure in genuine love for God and neighbor caused by a perverse attachment to certain goods” (CCC #1849).

There are several details that can be drawn from this biblical episode. First, it teaches the concept of the “Pain of Sin”. There is no such thing as a small or big sin in God’s eyes because any sin hurts him at all times and draws any delinquent away from divine grace. Having this in mind, we should by no means commit any sin, regardless of its gravity. A white lie, a petty theft, an unkind word, an omission of a duty, or a malicious thought displease God in the same way as any grievous fault does. Just as our first parents dismayed God by their mere eating of the forbidden fruit, we likewise destroy our relationship with God by every misbehavior.

Second, it underscores the “Punishment of Sin”. Any sin will always find its appropriate consequence or punishment, even far greater that the weight of the transgression done. In short, no evil deed is never left unaccounted for, given that God is both omniscient and all-just. Just as he knew that our ancestors disobeyed him in secret, he knows each of our slightest sins and even our tiniest evil thoughts. He in turn acts fairly by putting into effect the full force of the law. Therefore, every evil feat on earth will receive its punishment somehow, be it here on earth through human judicial courts, or in the particular judgment rendered after one’s death.

Third, it promises the “Pardon of Sin”. Any sin, no matter how great it is, can be absolved by God when the wrongdoer seeks his divine mercy. The Genesis story, conversely, presents our progenitors as so ashamed of their violation that they failed to consider the possibility of a reconciliation with their Creator. Instead of humbly admitting their mistakes and pursuing his pity, they simply left paradise without apologizing to him nor even uttering a single word after witnessing his wrath (v. 23).

Knowing that he is a compassionate God, we should be comforted that God will always forgive us and will give us infinite chances to reform our lives once again.

In sum, the Genesis story demonstrates that every sin effects pain, punishment, and pardon. May we avoid sin at every instance, yet, always confident to approach God whenever we sin.

- Rex Fortes, CM