The Invitation

The Garden of Eden may be seen as the inaugural invitation for humanity to be in right relationship with the Triune Most High Mystery. Scripture reveals the continuation of this invitation throughout salvation history, and in the lives of our spiritual ancestors. This living invitation is as constant as the air we breathe. It is as constant as daybreak and nightfall.

It is from our response to this invitation that we may gain access to the mind of Christ, the wisdom of God. As it was for our ancestors, we too are to discern how to recognize and respond, or not, to the invitation as it unfolds through our lived experiences. We do this by developing and nurturing our relationship with the Living God so we may see the light of God’s wisdom as we sojourn, and recognize God’s messenger among us.

Accepting the invitation liberates us to set aside our expectations so that we seek the newness God reveals for us, not rediscovering the Garden of Eden. This newness may result in our experience, knowledge and understanding of God changing or evolving.

(Pax Christi USA commissioned me to write its 2024 Advent and Christmas reflection guide, Seeking Wisdom’s Light. The above reflection was written for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception that this year is commemorated on December 8.)