Naked Without Shame (Gn 3:10) by Dr. Rich Reich

09 Dec Naked Without Shame (Gn 3:10) by Dr. Rich Reich

Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion(FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB). Leaders. Guest Authors

“He answered, ‘I heard you in the garden; but I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid.’” ~ Gn 3:10 (full readings)

Rich’s Reflections:   In the beginning, there was no shame.  “And the man and his wife were both naked, and were not ashamed” (Gn 2:25).  Adam and Eve knew no shame, because there is no shame (or fear) in love.  God’s original plan for creating man and woman was so that they could experience a deep spousal love.  A love of self donation that is free, total, faithful, and fruitful; a perfect love.  This perfect love casts out fear (1 Jn 4:18).  The fact that “they did not feel shame” means that the woman was not an “object” for the man, nor he for her.  They saw each other naked without lust.  The body is not shameful; lust is shameful.  Lust is a means of selfish gratification.  Lust is taking while love is giving.  Our selfish culture is surrounded by lust.  Our culture views marriage as a legitimate outlet for lust, which sadly ends in divorce because a marriage cannot survive on the emptiness of lust.  Marriage should live up to God’s original plan as a way of proclaiming the mystery of Christ’s free, total, faithful, and fruitful love for us.
* Dr. Rich Reich is the co-founder of the LIFE Group Devotions and the National LIFE Runners Team.  He is married to Erica and lives in Colorado Springs, CO.  Full bio.

Faith Challenge:  Avoid the counterfeit of lust and feed your heart’s desire with the only thing that can satisfy its hunger; God’s perfect love.

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel..
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Our Prayers: Pray LIFE Runners Creed to End Abortion.  Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, unceasingly. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
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Feast Day:   Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Faith Quote:  “Lord, I recognize this selfish, lustful tendency within me and I ask you please, by the power of your death and resurrection, to untwist in me what sin has twisted, so that I might come to experience sexual desire as you created it to be – as the desire to love in your image.  Amen.” ~ Christopher West

Through Christ our Lord,
Rich
James 1:22