Summary: satan tempts Adam and Eve, suggesting that to be “like God”, they must take from the tree and have its fruit. This introduces to the human race a “performance-based mentality”*. On the surface, not very alarming. But underneath, it teaches we must do, we must have, and then we can be someone. However, this thinking blinds us. We are already sons and daughters of the Most High God. Following this deception, we fail to count on Him – as a son or daughter would. We do not abide in Him, nor count on Him when only He can change the world around us for the good. Our Lady exhorts us in a similar way. She calls us to be instruments of “hope, peace and joy”. Then, with God’s grace, we can participate in the good of our brothers and sisters.
* The Encounter School of Ministry.