The First Eleven

Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator

Most of us could probably recount the stories that are narrated in the first eleven chapters of the Book of Genesis from memory. The beginning of the Bible tells us the stories of creation and of the fall of humankind beginning with the sin of Adam and Eve and concluding with the story of the Tower of Babel. In between, we hear the story of Cain and Abel and the story of Noah. These four stories are interspersed with linear genealogies which have as their intent the recognition that we are all descendants of Adam and Eve as well as to explain the various city states that were recognized in the Mesopotamian Crescent.

If we were to place the stories of the first eleven chapters of Genesis on a graph, the line would be seen to descend as it advanced. Each of the four stories shows us the human race sinking further and further into sin, the sins of disobedience, murder, sexual immorality, and pride are all graphically depicted in the individuals who lead to Abram, the son of Terah of Ur of the Chaldees.

The calendar of 2013 will preclude the telling of these stories. All we hear of the first eleven chapters of the Bible this year is the story of creation. We won't return to the Book of Genesis until the last week of June when we will begin to hear the story of Abraham. Including the first eleven chapters of the Book of Genesis at this time is meant to be a prelude to Lent which will begin on Wednesday of this week. These eleven chapters remind us of our need for God's mercy and forgiveness, the same mercy and forgiveness upon which we will focus our attention for the next six and a half weeks.

As we approach Ash Wednesday, let us take time for remember that when God created the heavens and the earth and all that inhabits them, God said, "This is good," and "This is very good." May that knowledge lead us in our efforts of returning to God's loving embrace.