Reflecting On A Walk During The 'breezy Time Of Day'

They walked along together, Father and Son, allowing their bare feet to sink into the lush, green, soft grass as they strolled together. They stopped frequently as some are likely to do on a stroll, taking in the picturesque beauty of the landscape before them.

They were inseparable, these two, and their bond to one another was so strong that it took on a form, a life of its own. It was one thing to enjoy something, but both knew that to share that joy with another was a joy unto itself.

When they stopped and listened intently, they could actually hear the grass growing beneath them. Numerous soft pops here and there. They smiled at the magnificence of it. 

The smell of a perfectly layered rose, with its pedals alternating and piecing together so intricately and uniquely that it would never be mistaken for any other flower, passed across a gentle breeze. This gift was a reminder of the joys in life, and yet the thorns that jutted from the stalk were a not so gentle reminder that every gift one has must be handled with care.

A bird flew in swiftly, landing with ease before them. They watched as it cocked its head to one side and then jabbed the earth. This little winged creature retrieved a worm from below the earth and swallowed it whole, causing the raise of eyebrows and a slight grin at the simplicity and complexity of life. One remarked to the other that they were not the only two in this place with remarkable hearing.

The sun shone brightly in a sky of blue. The white clouds seemed as though they too were on a lazy stroll this day, moving as though they were not much concerned about their destination.

Finches, hummingbirds, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, deer…all could be seen as they peeked from under bushes and behind the mighty oaks for a glance at their royal guests.

And then, something different in the air. Simultaneously, the brows furrowed on Father and Son, the former changing the direction of his walk while the latter continued on, hands clasped behind him now in prayer.

The Father walked through the garden, his pace slightly quicker now than before.  He stepped across a small brook and finally stopped, placing his hands high upon his walking stick and frowned slightly. He called out, his eyes searching for something out of place. Calling again, he began to walk.

“When they heard the sound of the Lord God moving 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. The Lord God then called to the man and asked him, ‘Where are you?’” (Genesis 3:8-9)

The Father eyed the serpent before the man and woman appeared, their forms covered. And so it would begin as he had foreseen, though he had hoped that they would have found some strength in them against the wicked tongue of evil. And so would come a binding and a loosing, for the Father knew that the freedom he had placed in these two demanded from them responsibility.

Since they had, through their collusion with one another, bound themselves together, the Father, after scolding the serpent, bound him to man, saying: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will strike at your head while you strike at his heel.” (Genesis 3:15)

And after this, there was but one thing left, though it was not as the Father wished. “The Lord God therefore banished him from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he had been taken.” (Genesis 3:23)

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And so it began those many ages past, before time was something to be kept.  Though maybe not through our own fault was this original sin brought upon us, but surely we have felt its wound - its sting upon us. Maybe it is not originated in us but it is very likely perpetuated through us from time to time, seemingly a part of our lineage, an unshakeable virus that lays dormant in us only to rise when we are not vigilant.

However, with every virus is an antidote. And though it would seem that humanity proved weak in the beginning, we have also proved blessed and resilient through the ages.

The Father still walks about at the “breezy time of the day” and still remembers those words spoken. Yet, he also hears the words that broke the die cast that day; words that would reach any Father’s heart, for they were spoken by his only begotten Son:  “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” (Lk:23:46)