Dialogue of Salvation

200 words: The primordial sin is the replacing of God with ourselves – the best definition of pride.

Pope Paul VI (1963-1978) introduced the term ‘dialogue of salvation.’ We witness it in our first reading (Genesis 3)

Adam and Eve, beguiled by the craftiest of all creatures, commit the Original Sin.

God said to them, ‘Do not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,’ but they did. The consequence was death, suffering, and more sin and more death.

What exactly is Original Sin?

Satan said to them, ‘God knows that when you eat of the tree you will be just like him.’

The primordial sin is the replacing of God with ourselves – the best definition of pride.

What does God do?

He conducts a ‘dialogue of salvation.’

In our brief reading, God does not come to Adam and Eve pointing his finger, accusing them of being unfaithful. Rather, he asks them questions – no less than four:

Where are you?

Who told you that you were naked?

Have you been eating of the tree I forbade you to eat?

What is this you have done?

God is helping them understand – in a more profound way – what has actually happened with their sinning.

We resolve to let ourselves be questioned by God.

Amen.