Fear

Having been deceived by the serpent to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, the first humans were afraid and hid from God. It wasn't so much their lack of clothes that was the source of their fear, but the realization that something had changed.

Evil looks good on the outside. It is like a GMO corn that doesn't reveal what's in the inside; not even eating it does anything to you, until you go to the doctor and realize that something has changed.

Although the first humans were afraid, God was merciful and provided clothing to hide their shame. Wouldn't be wonderful if humans were also equally merciful when their neighbors (that is, anyone and everyone) fall prey for the deceptiveness of evil? Why is it that instead of mercy, we get the chilling silence of a cold shoulder?


God didn't ignore evil, but neither did he let it disconnect humans from himself. From the first "What have you done!" speech, God has been actively working to connect humanity to himself, and to itself; love God with all of our being comes also with the commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves. But we would rather talk about the merciful God (because we are the recipients) and not be merciful ourselves; it takes too much effort, not to talk about money!

When evil arrived, everything changed. The first man blamed the woman and God, and the woman blamed the serpent; they disconnected from God and each other out of fear and shame. Ever since that day fear has been a powerful force that keeps us from experiencing the love of God, and the love of other humans. But there is a solution: mercy triumphs over justice. When we accept God's mercy, and become merciful ourselves, we'll find acceptance and love. It's the great reversal, the return to a time when we loved without fear. Now that's Good News.