Secrets and Lies

Feb 10: Memorial of Saint Scholastica

At first, I was confused what these two readings had to do with each other, and then I suddenly realized, they both end with someone trying in vain to keep a secret. Is keeping secrets always bad? Well, since one of those people is Jesus, we can infer no.

Reading 1

Gn 3:1-8

Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the animals that the LORD God had made. The serpent asked the woman, "Did God really tell you not to eat from any of the trees in the garden?"

The woman answered the serpent: "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; it is only about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, 'You shall not eat it or even touch it, lest you die.'"

But the serpent said to the woman: "You certainly will not die! No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods who know what is good and what is evil."

The woman saw that the tree was good for food, pleasing to the eyes, and desirable for gaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.

When they heard the sound of the LORD God moving about in the garden at the breezy time of the day, the man and his wife hid themselves from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

“The Knowledge of Good and Evil” is one of those weird phrases that doesn’t translate well. What it’s generally understood to mean is, the right to determine¹ what is good or evil. Only God can do that.

The serpent, Satan, is straight-up lying to Eve, telling her what she wants to hear. Notice that Adam is right there, although it’s not mentioned until later in the passage. He didn’t object or argue, he just took the bite that was offered.

Then they both “realized” they were naked, and tried to hide themselves from God. Which, obviously, won’t end well. Tune in tomorrow for the thrilling conclusion of The Fall of Man!

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7

R. Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.
Blessed is he whose fault is taken away,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt,
in whose spirit there is no guile.
R. Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
my guilt I covered not.
I said, "I confess my faults to the LORD,"
and you took away the guilt of my sin.
R. Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.
For this shall every faithful man pray to you
in time of stress.
Though deep waters overflow,
they shall not reach him.
R. Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.
You are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me;
with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round.
R. Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven.

Blessed are those “whose sin is covered.” Note the passive voice. Those who try to cover up their own sin aren’t blessed; we’re blessed when God forgives us.

Who is he covering our sins from? Himself. He’s the ultimate judge, so we ask him for forgiveness.

Alleluia

Acts 16:14b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Open our hearts, O Lord,
to listen to the words of your Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

God doesn’t want to keep secrets from us, but we do have to open ourselves to Him.

Gospel

Mk 7:31-37

Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man's ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, "Ephphatha!" (that is, "Be opened!") And immediately the man's ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, "He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."

Jesus keeps trying to rest, but still, moved with compassion, helps the sick and infirm. He orders them not to tell anyone, but these people can’t help themselves. They proclaim the Good News!

But why is Jesus trying to hide his miracles? It’s called the “Messianic Secret.” Like any good messenger, Jesus needs to control the timing of his message. Not everyone was ready to hear what he had to say. (People still aren’t ready.)

He also had to be worried about authorities. There was a time and a place for his death and resurrection. Annoying the Sanhedrin or scaring the Romans might have kicked things off too soon.

Even for believers, Jesus needed to take some time. He had to reset the common notion of the Messiah as a political figure, a new king. Jesus was a different kind of king, with a different kind of kingdom, and that took some explaining.

Yet, none of that tempered Jesus’ compassion. He still performed miracles, and still does today. Why and when are beyond are understanding, just as they were beyond the understanding of the first century Jews who knew him personally.

All we can do is ask for help, and know that his love for us has never ceased, no matter what else happens.

1. Not discern, determine.