Friday of the First Week of Advent

Friday of the First Week of Advent

December 8, 2006

“The woman answered, ‘The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it.”
Genesis 3:13

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Duped by the deceiver. Sucker-punched by Satan. Falsehood flowing forever from the father of lies. Destroyed by the devil. The trickster who only knows how to trick.

The Devil offers what we crave for but never delivers. All his promises are empty. Have you ever been tricked into believing otherwise? Our scripture verse today is about the first sin. Those who commit the original sin are tricked by the trickster who offers all and never gives anything. Adam and Eve, duped by the deceiver, basically choose themselves over God. They choose their way for happiness and fulfillment. Their choice to be without God is their own demise. To be without God means to die.

When we fall for the trick of the trickster, we sin. To sin means to separate ourselves from the God of life. One way to remember what sin is to note who is in the middle of it- I! “I” is in the middle of the word “sin”. If “I” am the middle, if my life is all about me and “I” am the center and purpose of it all, then I will surely perish being disconnected from the God of life.

What is the antidote to being tricked into believing that “I” am the center of it all and thus sinning and dying? Trust! It is about putting “U”, Lord, as the center of my life just like “u” is in the middle of the word “trust”. As I make my life all about “U” Lord, by fully trusting in you, you will lead me in the way of everlasting life.

“Stay sober and alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, solid in your faith.” 1 Peter 5:8-9

Will I continue to sin by putting “I’ in the middle and die or will I put “U” in the middle, Lord, and live?

Love is spelled T-I-M-E,

Fr. John