Saturday of week 5 in Ordinary Time
Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
First reading Genesis 3:9-24
In this passage we witness the tragic moment when the original unity between God and humanity, as well as the harmony between Adam and Eve, is shattered. After disobeying God’s command, Adam and Eve attempt to shift responsibility—Adam blames Eve, Eve blames the serpent—revealing the deep rupture that sin causes in relationships. No longer living in the peace of God’s presence, they experience fear, shame, and alienation. Their relationship with themselves is disrupted as they recognize their nakedness and feel exposed. Their bond with one another is strained by accusation and mistrust. Even their relationship with creation is affected, as the ground is cursed, and human labor becomes toilsome. This passage illustrates a fundamental truth: sin does not merely break a rule—it fractures harmony at every level of existence. The same pattern repeats in human history; every sin distorts our relationship with God, with ourselves, with others, and with the world around us. What was once a seamless communion of love is now marked by division, suffering, and exile, showing the profound consequences of turning away from God’s will. Let’s reflect: In what ways do I see the effects of sin—separation from God, from myself, from others, and from creation—manifesting in my own life, and how can I seek God’s grace to restore harmony in these areas?
Don Giorgio