We began our study in January, and it is now April. We are still in Genesis. We've had a number of interruptions, to be sure. Life goes on and things get in our way, but we have managed to find the time to meet if not weekly, then bi-monthly during this early part of the year. It is now the week before Holy Week, and yesterday, we agreed not to meet again until Easter Monday.
So what have we learned thus far in our study, that we can apply to our daily lives at this point in time? I for one have been reminded of the faithfulness of God. Since Adam and Eve, the human propensity for sin continues. Man, chief among creatures, resorts to violence, hatred, injustice, manipulation, and deceit, yet God is ever loving and ever constant. Like a good parent, he gives us freedom to choose to obey or to suffer the consequences of our actions. The choice to believe is ours. We are not forced to love. There is so much to be learned and reflected upon in Genesis.
Through the study of Genesis, we are introduced to God's covenants. We are given models of faith in Noah and Abraham. The standard is high but there is redemption on the other side of failure if we turn back to Him.
In Genesis God makes His first covenant with us, the marriage covenant, one holy couple in Adam and Eve. Of course, it is broken as so many marriage covenants are today. Adam and Eve break the covenant with God, lose paradise and gain death. The relationship they destroy is the family relationship with God and the consequence is suffering. Some things we never learn.
As we read, we discuss, we question, and we reflect. There is so much to learn! Someone comments on God's organization! We are awestruck at the Creation event and as Catholics we have no quarrel with science. God's day is not the same as our 24 hour day. Still we are amazed! We talk about his Covenant sign, the Sabbath, and lament that we live in a world so fast and furious that it no longer fully observes it.
Of course, we eat! This Lent we've had delicious meals, not all meatless since we meet on Mondays and not Fridays.
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