Saturday, February 12, 2011

2.12.11 - 5th Saturday - Death is Gift

Everything that God does is fro the good of man, his creation and object of his love.  After Adam and Eve had sinned, he imposed on them what we call now the realities of the human condition - isolation, discord, suffering, and labor.  God also says that "man has become like us" that is the Trinity, "knowing what is good and what is evil."  Therefore he shall no longer be permitted to eat from the tree of life so as to live forever.  So God banned Adam & Eve and all humanity from the Garden of Eden.  Thus all humanity is subject to death.
There is, of course, a very good reason for this - one that benefits mankind, rather than merely being a curse or punishment.  What Adam & Eve did, was done - and now human beings have the capacity for sin and evil.  To live forever with sin is to live forever separated from God - by definition - hell.  "Therefore, God allowed death to enter the world ... so that sin can be put to death."(Ambrose of Milan)
The realities of the human condition, some of which can be overcome thanks to the new life of grace given to us by Christ, still helps us to look beyond this world and realize that we were meant for full communion with God.
Our return to God began with a death - Jesus' death on the cross opened up the way for us.  While it is approached with trembling for all - even by Jesus - we know that it will bring us to where there is no more sin or evil.

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