9.30.25 - Yom Kippur - Millstone - Fall of Man II

Opening Prayer:

Dear Lord

We know that every discouragement begins with something we don't like or can't control and then graduates to places we don't want it to be. Help us remember to give it to the You at the onset, and then walk with You.

May our every moment and every task be unto the Lord.

As you taught us to pray together:

Our Father

Who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name.

Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily Bread;

And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Upcoming major holy days:   November 1:  All Saints Day

Today’s Agenda

1.    Reflection:  Yom Kippur

2.    Gospel Reading for 27^th Sun in Ordinary Time, Lord, Millstone, Increase our Faith Luke 17:1-2,5-10

3.    Genesis 3, The Fall of Man II

Quote of the Week:  

“No man is condemned for anything he has done wrong. He is condemned for continuing to do wrong. He is condemned for not coming in out of the dark and into the light.” – Robert MacDonald

Reflection:  Yom Kippur (Eve of Oct 1 to Eve of Oct 2)

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is known as the holiest day of the Jewish year. Yom is Hebrew for “day,” and Kippur means “to cover” or “atone.” Leading up to and on this day, Jews traditionally ask for forgiveness for their wrongdoings from God and from their fellow human beings. Fasting (no eating and drinking). No wearing of leather shoes. No bathing or washing. No anointing oneself with perfumes or lotions. Not even water to brush your teeth.

Leviticus 16 records the requirements of the Day of Atonement: The high priest enters the Holy of Holies, sprinkles the blood of the bull on the mercy seat, and sends the scapegoat into the wilderness — all “to make atonement for the people of Israel.”

Why was one animal killed and the other sent into the wilderness?

The distinct roles of the two animals represented the necessary aspects of atonement: the sacrificial death of the bull for God symbolized the penalty for sin, and the scapegoat sent into the wilderness symbolized the removal of sins from Israel. 

Jewish sacrifices in the Old Testament took place regularly. Once the Temple was built, sacrifices were made daily because they were never enough. The sacrificed animals were never equal to their sins, and people never stopped sinning.

Do we say, “happy Yom Kippur?”

No, "happy Yom Kippur" is not a traditional greeting because this holiday is a time for solemn reflection and atonement, not an occasion for happy celebration. Feel free to wish your Jewish friends “Shabbat Shalom.”

Did Jesus celebrate the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)?

Jesus fulfilled all the commands of the Law. However, it ended with his crucifixion.

Why don't Christians celebrate Yom Kippur?

The Day of Atonement is not observed by the Church because Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was the Yom Kippur – he became the Atonement for the whole world.

In commemorating Christ's resurrection at the Passover (Mass) every Sunday, we celebrate not only Jesus’  atonement for our sins but our life and union with God.

Sunday’s Reading:  Millstone, Faith, Humility

Luke 17:1-2,5-10  

Jesus said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin will inevitably come, but woe to him by whom they come. It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he were cast into the sea, than he should cause one of these little ones to sin.”

The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith."

The Lord replied, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this sycamine tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.”

"Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, 'Come at once and sit down at table'?

Will he rather not say to him, 'Prepare something for me, and put on your apron and serve me, till I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink'?

Does he give gifts to that servant because he did what was expected?

So it should it be with you – when you have done all that is commanded of you, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'"

Exegesis (Study and Interpretation)

I. Luke 17:1-2         

Jesus said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin will inevitably come, but woe to him by whom they come. It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he were cast into the sea, than he should cause one of these little ones to sin.”

Who are the “little ones” Jesus is talking about?

Little ones refers to those new or young in the faith. Today, that would be mostly children, but in the beginning of Christianity the majority was adults. It would also include those who are easily influenced or taken advantage of. In other words, the vulnerable.

Jesus’ condemnation is directed to anyone in a position of authority/influence over others – especially in the faith – because they have the power to bring about exponential good or exponential harm, not only in this lifetime, but eternally. From a “stewardship” perspective, God wants people to exercise authority over others by employing what is called “servant leadership,” which is to put everyone else’s welfare before your own. This is doubly true for Church leaders.  

What does this mean for clergy in the Church?

It means that God holds them to a higher standard for they are expected to lead many to Christ but they can also cause the opposite to happen, threatening their relationship with God. Therefore, misleading or abusing “little ones” receives this severest warning. This “millstone threat” applies to all involved in this nefarious behavior, including higher up clergy who do not take appropriate, corrective action.

This has always been the Church’s teaching because it comes directly from Jesus Christ.

II. Luke 17:5-6   

The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith."

Note that even the apostles ask this question, which shows they have been reflecting on Jesus’ earlier parables… just like we are reflecting every time we study the Bible. What it tells us is that it’s okay to need more faith and ask for more… always, always, always. Faith is a gift, but it is like a seed in a garden and we need to water it and nourish it. In this way, faith is a journey and, like love, it is an inexhaustible, never-ending path.

Why did the Apostles ask for more faith to begin with?

            If you look at the verses above, note that v. 3 and 4 are not included in the reading. I don’t know why, but it is helpful to understanding the rest. Here is how Jesus instructs his Apostles in verses 3 and 4:

Take heed to yourselves; if your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, ‘I am sorry,’ you should forgive him.” – 17:4-5

It was in response to this that the Apostles exclaim to Jesus, “Increase our faith!”

Why would they respond this way?

            Because to forgive someone that many times seemed absolutely impossible to them.

Then Jesus replied, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this sycamine tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.”

Why does Jesus refer to a sycamine tree and what is his point?

            The sycamine (or mulberry) tree root system is extensive. A typical tree root system may expand 20-30 feet in diameter, but the sycamine is more like 60 feet. It was impossible to uproot a sycamine tree … perhaps like forgiving someone a hundred times!  Yet, Jesus knows they can’t do it alone, but with faith in God, we can accomplish anything.  

III. Luke 17:7-10  

"Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the  field, 'Come at once and sit down at table'?

Will he rather not say to him, 'Prepare something for me, and put on your apron and serve me, till I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink'?

Does he give gifts to that servant because he did what was expected?

So it should it be with you – when you have done all that is commanded of you, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'"

What is Jesus telling them?

The parable’s questions sound kind of silly because they make needlessly explicit a relationship between the master and servant that would have been taken for granted.

The punchline is this verse: “We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty!” This may sound like an expression of a poor self-image, but in this context, self-disparagement is not the point.  Jesus’ point is that there is no room for self-importance. He is pointing out that doing the will of God is not a cause for self-praise, for they are simply doing what is their duty. Remember, the Pharisees and Sadducees have arrogantly raised themselves above the people out of spiritual pride.

Who recalls the Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector? That’s when the Pharisee stands on the steps of the Temple looking down at the crowds and says, “Thank you God that I am not like all these sinners!” This is exactly the spiritual arrogance that Jesus has no patience for. Hence, harsh words that they will not forget.     

The Pharisee and Tax Collector

Genesis 3 – The Fall of Man

Where we left off…

Genesis 3:1-4

Now the snake was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the LORD God had made. He asked the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You shall not eat from any of the trees in the garden’?”

The woman answered the snake: “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; it is only about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, ‘You shall not eat it or even touch it, or else you will die.’”

But the snake said to the woman: “You certainly will not die! God knows well that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, who know good and evil.”

Who remembers what Jesus said about Satan?

“When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (Jn 8:41)

“Father of lies” means he is the first liar and, in fact, this was the first lie recorded in the Bible.

What are the conditions for temptation so far?

1)  First, Eve was hanging around the one tree she wasn’t supposed to. When we know that we are putting ourselves in harm’s way (being in the wrong place when we know better), we have essentially entered into the arena of temptation. It will get harder and harder to exit the arena when we let that happen.

2) Notice how the serpent – the tempter – seems quite engaging and even reasonable. This tells us that sin and evil doesn’t come to us with horns and a tail, but is usually very friendly and/or seductive. Satan invented good advertising. Eve is ready to take the bait. 

Remember, temptation itself isn’t a sin. It’s what we do with temptation. Do we allow it to continue, or do we ask God to help us get rid of it. The first choice is part of our fallen nature that we are here to improve upon, and the second one (asking for help to get rid of it) develops your spiritual nature. Such good discipline and good habits are called virtues.

Genesis 3:4-8    

The woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and the tree was desirable for gaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.

When they heard the sound of the LORD God walking about in the garden at the breezy time of the day, the man and his wife hid themselves from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 

What are the three temptations of Eve that will define humanity thereafter?  

1)    Good for food – physical desire. This will be good for my body.

2)    Delight to the eyes – possessions. This will be good for me to have.

3)    It will make me wise – pride/egoism. What is God hiding? No matter, I will soon know what He knows, and we won’t need Him any longer.  

So there we have it, the first three temptations – physical gratification, possessions, pride – that not only led to the Fall of Man, but they are still the same temptations that can take us down (replace God) today. Satan has a winning formula and he’s not about to let up.

As you know, Jesus came to reverse the Fall of Man and re-open the gates to Heaven. He had to accomplish several things. The first was to meet with Satan in the desert and reject the same temptations as Adam & Eve. The temptations were the same although more extravagant. Satan offered him bread (physical desire), all the kingdoms of the earth (possessions and power) and to prove/exalt himself by throwing himself down from the Temple and having the angels save him (pride).

Verse 6:  “…and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 

What’s going on with Adam? Where did he come from?  Then he eats? 

The role of Adam in this story so far is very strange. It is the woman who was tempted – as though Adam were not even present.  Suddenly, he is standing next to her taking the apple. It appears he was there the whole time, but even if he had just walked up, he knew darn well this was the forbidden tree.

One gets the impression that he was there and not stopping Eve. Perhaps he was encouraging Eve. The sneaky part of me wants to think that since God told him personally (not Eve) to not eat from the tree, that putting Eve up to it would give him some plausible deniability. But the fact is, we don’t know his motives so we can’t get too carried away. Suffice to say, he was COMPLICIT. He certainly needed no convincing to eat.

Perhaps Adam deserves some more scrutiny from another perspective. God initially gave Adam responsibility for the Garden – which would include protecting it. Here the Garden is clearly in need of protection – an intruder has entered. One could also say his wife was also in need of protection. 

What do you think Adam’s options were?

1)    Defend the Garden and defend Eve.

“Hey serpent, you don’t belong here, begone!”  “Hey serpent, why are you talking to my wife? Begone!”

Even if his life was in danger, he knows God could raise him up again. Yes, that would take some courage, but he didn’t even try. 

2)    He could ask help…  “God, this is NOT a good situation here, and I don’t know what to do. Please help me!”

But he didn’t.

3)    Go along for the ride…  Eve, we better eat quick and get that knowledge before the God comes! Hurry, then we’ll be safe from Him!”

They both ate!

V7:  Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.

What does it mean that their eyes were opened and knew they were naked?

Eyes were opened:  They recognized their guilt. “They” both experienced this, indicating they were both guilty. 

Knew they were naked:  They were immediately aware of their betrayal. They were exposed. Like a husband or wife being caught in a lie of infidelity. This would have been man’s first experience of shame.

Given their high expectations, imagine how shocked they must have been. They would have realized all at once that they did not receive the wisdom they were expecting and that the serpent had lied to them.  

The irony is that the knowledge the serpent promised them was of a different kind. Their “increased knowledge” was the knowledge and experience of evil and the shame and pain that goes with it.      

What is the first thing one usually does when caught in a lie or betrayal? 

Cover up the truth. That is the meaning of this verse:

“…they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.”

V8:  And when they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, Adam and his wife hid themselves from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

Closing Prayer

Dear Lord

We thank you for the blessing of reading your word together.

We ask that these words of life, truth, and hope enlighten our minds and strengthen our faith.

May your love and grace follow each of us as we return to our daily lives, refreshed and blessed by you.

We ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ, through whom we receive eternal life.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed are thou among women,

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death. 

Amen.