Adam and Ever were expelled from the Garden of Eden as a result of their disobedience. We are inclined to think that their expulsion from the garden was the just punishment for having disobeyed God in eating of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But the more important reason was something else. It was an act of mercy and precaution from God, who did not want his children to commit a more severe sin in future.
‘See, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever’ (Gen 3:22). This was the true reason. Because the punishment for their sin was already given (Gen 3: 16-19). It was not God’s plan for Adam and Eve to eat of a more valuable and sublime fruit – the fruit of the tree of life – as long as they remained in a state of sin.
Then what is this tree of life? It is mentioned just once in the first book of the Bible (Gen 3:22) but appears many times in the last book, the book of Revelation (Rev 2:7, 22:2, 22:14, 22:19).
Jesus is the tree of life. Because eternal life is possible only through Jesus. The medicine prescribed by the Lord for us to attain immortality is his own body and blood ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you’ (Jn 6:53). Here Jesus points exactly to the Eucharist.
Adam and Eve were prohibited from accessing the fruit of the tree of life because of their sinfulness only. Similarly those who approach the Holy Eucharist also have only one condition to satisfy; that they are free from sin. It is a serious matter. Just imagine the eternity of a man who received the Holy Communion in a state of sin, and died in sin? It is the biggest tragedy for a soul. Going back to the book of Genesis, God was so cautious as not to permit Adam and Eve from eating of the fruit of this same tree of life, because of the bitter results that would follow.
In fact, Adam and Eve were never prohibited from eating the fruit of the tree of life. The tree of life was there in the garden even at the time of God commanding them not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But once they eat of the forbidden fruit ( i.e. once they commit a sin) then they are prohibited from eating the fruit of the tree of life. Yet Christ suffered for us in cross and regained us the right to enjoy the fruits of the tree of life provided we repent and return to him. In other words the Holy Communion becomes in such people the true medicine leading them to eternal life. As for the others it would bring them judgment, not salvation. Paul the apostle has clearly taught us about this (1 Cor 11:29).
Churches with empty confessionals but long queues for receiving Communion is an indicator of a great tragedy. A tragedy that God wanted to avoid at any cost, even by expelling his children from the Garden of Eden.
Let us pray that none among us choose this cursed way to tragedy.O Eucharistic Lord, grant us the grace to receive you in Communion every day in a worthy manner. May your body and blood lead us not into judgment, but to forgiveness of our sins, and eternal life. Amen.
