A parent would instinctively know that something is amiss when a young child goes quiet all of a sudden and out of view. The natural reaction would be to call out the name of the child or better still, go looking for the child. What awaits at the other end would be nothing short of shocking. This was the same that happened in the garden of Eden that eventful day. Being left alone to enjoy the richness and beauty of nature, Adam and Eve were lured into sin which drove them into hiding, away from God, perhaps hoping that things would be back to normal, which never did. As a result, sin entered the world, trapping us to rely on the words of the enemy, making us fend for ourselves with all our might thus living independent of God.

Looking at ourselves through the eyes of the scripture today, we are challenged by our God’s call ‘where are you?’Are we hiding, with our heads hung low, unable to look at our Father for we have been eating fruits off many forbidden trees? Are we trying to pin the blame on the other person or circumstances for our failures? Or are we in a state where we can openly run to Him with no hesitation as we have no doubt of His unfailing mercies? Wherever we may be the good news is that just like a loving parent who keeps an eye out for his or her child, our Father in heaven is always on the lookout for us. We only have to turn to him and cry out ‘here I am Lord!’, for this is His original plan for us from the beginning of the world; to be in communion with Him.

We are not left to our own devices and He is able to provide for us! We no longer have to fight on our own to be satisfied. Just as it is revealed in the Gospel proclamation, not only our spiritual needs will be met but our material needs too. Our Lord knows our needs and when He says ‘I feel sorry for all these people’ it is assured that He is sensitive to our pain and suffering. What He needs is our contribution, seemingly little it may seem. Let us make it a point today to consciously offer ourselves to Him by returning to His arms each time we fall.

Prayer: Abba Father, give us the grace to hear Your call, as you come looking for us and trust in Your merciful love. Amen