I’ve been thinking a lot about Adam and Eve lately. I’ll say why in a minute. First, let’s look at the story.
God creates the earth and fills it with all that is necessary to sustain life. Its abundance is that of a lush garden. He creates a man and a woman to tend this garden. He wants them to live with him and each other in a close and happy relationship — creator and creatures. He lays down just one restriction: do not eat the fruit from one particular tree.
That restriction becomes a temptation. What’s so special about this fruit? Perhaps it is a source of power. Perhaps eating it will make them the equal of their creator. When they yield to temptation, shame enters the garden. Because they were untrustworthy, they no longer trust God. They hide from him. Their sin poisons their relationship with each other as Adam blames Eve and Eve blames the snake that God created.
Behind this story is two thousand years of religious conflict. The tribes of Israel were nomadic shepherds. They worshiped Yahweh, a god who could not be seen or touched. The Canaanites among whom they settled worshiped Baal, a fertility god. Changing gods was a constant temptation. With Baal, you made a statue, and it became the god. You offered sacrifices that bought you favor. You consorted with temple prostitutes, and your fields and wives were fertile. The Israelites also offered sacrifices, but their prophets told them the sacrifices only expressed gratitude. You couldn’t control Yahweh with bribes. You could only try to follow his will.
I see myself in the story of Adam and Eve. I’ve been sick. Every night I go to sleep vowing I’ll feel better tomorrow. I’ll get up and get cracking on all my postponed chores. Every morning I discover I’m still sick. I feel guilty, as if I chose this illness. I feel angry. After all, I prayed. I asked God to bless my plans, so why aren’t they working out?
I hear in my frustration echoes of Adam and Eve. Like them, I want to be the one in control. It’s my life and my body. I hear echoes of those tempted to follow Baal. I’ve prayed, attended Mass and donated to charity. Doesn’t that buy me some divine favor?
But we can’t control God. We can only trust him. We follow the commandments and the church’s disciplines because we know they are the guide to a happy, fulfilling life. There’s no guarantee they’ll make us healthy or prosperous. Bad things do happen to good people.
When I’m sick and frustrated, I forget my calling. I’m called to love God and my neighbor. Some days that may include cleaning the house or visiting a friend in worse circumstances. Some days, though, it just requires being cheerful in my discomfort and praying for those equally afflicted.
One of my favorite stories is one about Pope John XXIII. Supposedly, he went through a period early in his papacy where he felt anxious and burdened by his responsibilities. He called upon the Holy Spirit, who reminded him that God was in charge of the church, not John. From then on, his evening prayer went something like this, “I’ve done the best I can today, Lord. The rest is up to you. I’m going to bed.”
That Adam and Eve itch to make my body well is still in me, but so is some of the grace God granted to Pope John. This column is the best I can do this week. The rest is up to the Lord. I’m going back to bed.
Kathleen welcomes comments. Send them to Kathleen Choi, 1706 Waianuenue Ave., Hilo 96720, or email: kathchoi@hawaii.rr.com.
