The Feast of St Scholastica | Friday 10 February 2023

Today is Friday the 10th of February, the feast of St Scholastica, in the fifth week of Ordinary time.

The community of Taizé sing Toi, tu nous aimes. “You love us, Lord, source of life.” As I listen, I remind myself that I am in the presence of God right now, that God is looking on me now with love.

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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.

This Bible passage has played a major role in our understanding of sin, of gender and of human guilt. Try to hear it with fresh ears and imagination, getting a vivid sense of the woman, the man and the serpent. What does it say to you in terms of your own life and experience?


God is depicted here as a close companion, sharing the pleasure of an evening walk in the garden, not knowing yet what has happened to those made in the divine image and likeness. Can you imagine the man and woman’s feelings as they hide? How does this connect with your own story?

As this reading is read again, what strikes you particularly? Does your response lead to positive or negative thoughts and feelings? How might you share these with God?

God is depicted here as a companion rather than a Lord and Master. However this reading touches you, is there something that you want to say to this companionable God, or are you tempted to hide as well? Perhaps you could take this opportunity to come out of hiding and speak to God directly…

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.