Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 331​

The LORD God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it.

The LORD God gave man this order: "You are free to eat from any of the trees of the garden except the tree of knowledge of good and evil. From that tree you shall not eat; the moment you eat from it you are surely doomed to die."

I find irony in the juxtaposition of today's first reading and the gospel. We have heard God's strict injunction against eating from the "tree of knowledge of good and evil," and Jesus' assurance, "Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person."

Apparently there was nothing inherently evil about the tree. The knowledge of good and evil is not a bad thing. But Adam, like every human being, is under obedience. He must not aspire to a freedom without responsibility or consequence. That fantasy is granted only to fascists and their demagogues.

The point of the gospel: we should recognize the source of evil. It is not in God's creation. It is not in the food we eat, not even in fats, carbohydrates, or gluten. Nor tobacco, alcohol or morphine. All have their purpose and their sacred utility.

If we use these things we should not suppose they cause good or evil; they neither set us free nor imprison us. We do that to ourselves, foolishly and responsibly and -- ultimately -- by choice.

There is great discussion among medical people today about MAT -- medically assisted therapy for substance abuse. The old school, represented by Alcoholics Anonymous, insists the only way to freedom is to quit cold turkey. No regrets, no looking back, no hesitation. Just say no.

However, actual experience of sobriety, relapse and eventual recovery -- as documented by statistics -- shows that more users successfully quit and stay quit with Medically Assisted Therapy. Certain drugs reduce the physical craving and with intensive counseling -- often residential counseling -- the user gets back on her feet and relearns what she had forgotten.

As a chaplain in the field I urge those in recovery not to suppose the medicine will fix all their problems. Most "users" (not all) had sorely neglected their spiritual life before they slipped into addiction. They were paying attention to other things -- relationships, career, education, hobbies and pastimes -- when the fascinating chemical entered their life. As dependence increased they neglected substantial relationships in deference to the intoxicating substance. They briefly knew life without pain; they thought, "This is how it should be! I have a right to this!" Who doesn't want a hassle-free existence where the best things in life come without cost? This tree of knowledge was alluring. And, in many cases, fatal.

This is an existential challenge, a struggle for existence. To be or not to be. We realize that it takes courage to be, and that includes a willingness to live with pain, disappointment, grief and hardship.

Christian imagery has often described Jesus in Gethsemane. An angel stands over the prostrate Christ, offering him a goblet as he prays, "Let this cup pass from me." But, despite his plea, Jesus drank at the LORD’s hand the cup of his wrath; (he) drained to the dregs the bowl of staggering!

The "cup" in both scripture passages alludes to alcoholic drink, a staggering potion. But the allusion is ironic, for this quaff of reality is entirely, deeply, painfully sobering. Where the foolish prefer their reality in small doses and laced with pleasure, Jesus drinks it neat and to the dregs.

I take no position in the discussion about MAT; but I am convinced that healing lies in the direction of that willingness not to be dissatisfied with one's will. My way is a highway to hell.

The way of the cross is a willingness to endure distress and to find oneself in a very dark place. But it's also a willingness to be raised up in a new reality, which may be far more challenging than anything one has known. At the end of the tunnel there is light. At the end of the light is another tunnel.