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Good morning.
In one of the stories of creation from the book of Genesis, a man and a woman are in a flourishing garden.
The man and the woman are told they can eat from all the trees, except one. But they 鈥� like everybody who鈥檚 told not to do something 鈥� do eat from that one tree.
When God comes looking for them that evening they are hiding, because they鈥檙e ashamed, and when God asks the man a question the man does what so many do. He points his finger in blame.
鈥淭he woman you gave me鈥�, the man says, blaming both the woman, and God who gave him the woman.
These stories of creation can seem at once entirely removed from everyday life, and at the same time, entirely at the heart of everyday life.
We sometimes participate in activities that cause pain and separation, even though we know it in advance.
And when the story of pain becomes known, we blame.
Open any newspaper, eavesdrop in many conversations at the workplace, or at home, or on the bus, and you鈥檒l hear stories of secrets being uncovered and people blaming people for things that bring us shame.
So while the story of two people in a garden with strange fruit from strange trees seems a million miles from us, perhaps that garden is closer.
God of the garden
You who are the author of life
Who knows that shame and blame
can be poison at the heart of every life.
Lead us towards that which flourishes.
And when we fail, which we will,
lead us towards telling the truth
without blame.
Amen.