Friday 12 February 2021

Today is Friday the 12 February, in the 5th week of Ordinary Time.  

The Choir of Winchester Cathedral sing the Kyrie from William Byrd’s Mass for 5 Voices. Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison: Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.    

Today’s reading is from the book of Genesis.  

Genesis 3:1-8

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God say, “You shall not eat from any tree in the garden”?’ The woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; but God said, “You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.” ’ But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves. They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

Today’s reading concerns a critical moment in the story of God’s relationship with humanity. How does the serpent persuade Eve to eat fruit from the forbidden tree?

Why do you think Eve stops trusting God? What makes you struggle to trust God?
Is there something that makes you want to hide from God? Talk to God about those things now.

Jesus is God’s Word for us today. In Jesus the rift between God and humanity has been healed.

As you listen to the passage again let the Spirit bring to mind any temptations you are currently struggling with.

In prayer bring your fears, doubts and temptations to Jesus and ask for his love and grace to flow through your life.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.