In a few sentences, Saint Paul sums up the whole of human history.
God intended for man to live in perfect communion with Him. We were created in a state of divine grace, an intimate relationship with the Almighty and with each other.
But Adam, the leader of that first family turned away from God seeking his own way. That “turning away” robbed us of the grace and the relationship with God we were always meant to have. What we refer to as “original sin” opened the door for sin and death to enter the world and corrupt it with conflict, evil and suffering.
Jesus Christ is the new Adam. One who came to repair what was broken and restore what was lost. He is God’s response to our fallen state.
Adam gave in to the temptation of the devil in the Garden of Eden and the result was pain and suffering for all his descendants. Jesus resisted the devil in the Garden of Gethsemane and through Him our relationship with God has been restored.
But we still live in a fallen world.
As God led Israel through the wilderness to the Promised Land, He still leads us through this world of sin and death to His Kingdom. We struggle with our own sinful natures and the temptations of the world around us, but that struggle gives our lives a meaning that transcends these temporal trials.
It is easy for us to be distracted away from using our gifts and talents as they were meant to be used. In our own journey through the desert, we may feel that God is distant and we are constantly tempted to serve our own good rather than the good of others.
As we begin our Lenten journey, let us resolve to follow in the footsteps of Christ.
Pax vobiscum
Peace be with you all
First Sunday of Lent