Where are You?

This past Saturday's first reading for the daily mass contained a familiar story from the book of Genesis. It was the story of Adam and Eve taking a bite of the forbidden apple from the Tree of Knowledge. The story ends with God relocating Adam and Eve East of the Garden of Eden to toil the land from which they came. Thus, mankind was born. However, it is not the end of the story that stood out to me in this reading. With the help of Fr. George's homily it was the beginning. 

At the beginning of the story, Adam is hiding--much like any child would after he has done something wrong--and God asks, "Where are you?" Ashamed of his nakedness, and his actions, Adam was hiding from God. Father George, during the homily, asked the congregation how they would answer. Of course, being in the chapel at Mass, we all would have shouted to God, "Here we are!" Father's pointed follow up question made us think: "When you aren't in church or at mass and going about your daily lives would you still be proud to shout your presence to God?"

It made me think. Although we may not know "the day or the hour" Jesus will return and ask us where we are, God is constantly aware of our actions. If we would rather hide these things from God, then perhaps we need to make changes in our lives--changes that would make Him proud of our actions. With Ash Wednesday marking the beginning of Lent this week, we have the opportunity to prayerfully reflect on our relationship with God and practice ways to improve it. 

In the story of Adam and Eve, although his was disappointed in his children he clothed them and gave them a chance to survive. Fortunately, he continues to provide for His children even when our sins disappoint him. Confession is our second chance. At school our mission for the third quarter continues to be Accepting Forgiveness. This Lent make time for confession and feel the peace it brings. We may not be able to re-enter the Garden of Eden and experience it's joy but with confession we can at least visit.