February 14, 2025
Sts. Cyril and Methodius
Refusing the Apples
So she took some of its fruit and ate it.
Genesis 3:6

Whom did Satan tempt with the apple? Eve. Some have argued the apple was offered to the weaker sex. I’m not buying it. Satan is resourceful. He went straight to the one who posed the greatest threat. Satan knew Eve’s special gifts—what St. John Paul II described as women’s “feminine genius”—had the power to transform the world. 

When Satan enticed Eve with that shiny apple, he was saying, “Here, take this. You’re not good enough the way you are.”

The enemy continues to whisper: “Something is wrong with you.” “Your house is a mess.” “No one will ever love you.” “You’re not qualified for that job.” “You’re too old.” “You’re fat.” “You’re ugly.”

Eve let Satan lead her to doubt God. But not Mary, the New Eve. She recognized how beloved she was and that God’s plan could be trusted. Today’s women are called to do the same. When they do, women will rock the world, as well as rocking cradles, with their inherent capacity to love and give.

- Kate Wicker

Genesis 3:1-8 ✚ Psalm 32 ✚ 1-2, 5-7 ✚ Mark 7:31-37
Red apples on clean cloth napkin reflecting daylight in the shiny peels. Image by Dash | stock.adobe.com
Image of the day

Comments

February 16, 2025 at 04:38 PM

Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those in need. Come to the side of those experiencing violence in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, and the Sudan. Please hear the pleas of all those suffering around the world - and give them strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.

February 14, 2025 at 12:57 PM

My prayer "Lord Jesus, fill us all with your Holy Spirit and inflame our heart with love and compassion. Make us attentive to the needs of others that we may show them kindness and care. Make us all an instrument of your mercy and peace that we may help others find healing and wholeness in you." Amen

February 14, 2025 at 11:07 AM

Love your reflection, Kate! "Each woman who lives in the light of eternity can fulfill her vocation, no matter if it is in marriage, in a religious order, or in a worldly profession." St. Edith Stein

February 14, 2025 at 10:22 AM

Good morning Kate! Thank you for this wonderfully affirming reflection and the reminder to use the gifts God has given me. Blessings on your day!

February 14, 2025 at 09:53 AM

Hmmmmmmmmm, honestly and ultimately the goal is for all to stand together to circumvent sin and evil. One Nation Under God. It's us against sin eh? Together. They were both there as we are all here together! Blessings to all the LFF, especially those with extra needs these days and may we all stick together to spread the love of God through all the world.

February 14, 2025 at 09:38 AM

AMEN!

February 14, 2025 at 09:20 AM

Another perspective. Both Adam and Eve sinned. Whenever we go against God's Will, it leads to destruction. I believe that is the message.

February 14, 2025 at 09:11 AM

God speaks when we need it most! For those battling political versus religious I suggest Maccabees 3. Give it a read and let the Spirit speak to your soul. Jesus, I trust in You! Happy Friday Valentine to you my friends—-each one of you are loved!

Irene
February 14, 2025 at 11:01 AM

Thar is an amazing chapter!

Vicky G
February 14, 2025 at 09:22 AM

Oops 2 Maccabees 3 :)

February 14, 2025 at 09:08 AM

Amen!

February 14, 2025 at 09:05 AM

As we celebrate the beautiful tradition of St Valentine’s Day, let us spread the unconditional Love of our Lord Jesus Christ who opened His strong arms to save the whole world. ❤️

February 14, 2025 at 07:59 AM

who are we deciding who is the sinner ? I think we need to look at ourselves as sinners . And this certainly isn't about man vs woman

Salina
February 14, 2025 at 09:02 AM

We are all sinners, “We are not sinners because we sin, we sin because we are sinners!” *** The bad news and the Good News in Romans 3:23-24, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in His grace, freely makes us right in His sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins!”

February 14, 2025 at 07:47 AM

Beautifully said! ????????????????????????????????????????

February 14, 2025 at 07:31 AM

I pray that the Holy Spirit guides my thoughts, words and actions to do God's will and avoid the evil fruits. Uplifting prayers and a loving Valentine's Day to all.

February 14, 2025 at 07:23 AM

Kate, We had an opportunity to choose a woman to “rock the nation”. Instead….

Bruce K
February 14, 2025 at 07:50 AM

Sandy, I am referring to Kate’s usage of the term. I suggest you read her again.

Salina
February 14, 2025 at 07:48 AM

Now she can go “rock the cradles!”

Sandy
February 14, 2025 at 07:42 AM

Rock?

February 14, 2025 at 07:14 AM

Amen.

February 14, 2025 at 06:00 AM

Beautiful and insightful reflection Kate.

February 14, 2025 at 04:57 AM

For the record, we do not know what the fruit was. It could have been grapes for all we know. Satan told Eve you could have it all. That is his message even today.

February 14, 2025 at 01:12 AM

If Eve was the one who believed satan’s lie and ate the fruit first, why was Adam responsible for the original sin? *** Adam was named responsible for the original sin and not Eve in Romans 5:12, 15b, 17a, 19a, “When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned… For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many… For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many… Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners.” *** Gods gave the command directly to Adam before Eve was created in Genesis 2:15-18, “The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die. Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” *** Adam was right there with Eve when satan tempted Eve and he didn’t say anything to stop it in Genesis 3:6b, “So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too.” ******* So when was the last time you saw someone took the “apple” to eat (sin) and you didn’t say anything to warn them because you wanted to be accepted and you don’t want any conflict. You were afraid of offending someone, rejection from someone and isolation from a group?

Salina
February 14, 2025 at 07:44 AM

Adam was given the honor and responsibility by God to be the head of the household with Eve as his helper!!! *** This is what God told Adam before Eve was created for him in Genesis 2:16, “The Lord God gave the man a command. He said, “You may eat fruit from any tree in the garden!” *** This is what Eve understood what Adam told her as she repeated it back to satan in Genesis 3:3, “But God did say, ‘You must not eat the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden. Do not even touch it. If you do, you will die.’ ” *** God never said to Adam not to touch the tree or ‘you will die!’ Did it get lost in translation or Adam decided to add to what God said? We don’t know but we do know that Adam, the head of the household, decided to go against God in letting Eve sin against God!!!

Joann
February 14, 2025 at 06:03 AM

I had someone say to me once reflecting on this passage that Adam wasn't being a good husband letting Eve eat the fruit

Salina
February 14, 2025 at 01:46 AM

God knew what happened and He called out to Adam first because Adam was responsible for the original sin in Genesis 3:9, “But the Lord God called out to the man. “Where are you?” He asked.”

Red apples on clean cloth napkin reflecting daylight in the shiny peels. Image by Dash | stock.adobe.com
Image of the day

STAY CONNECTED

requestbnr

Living Faith provides brief daily Catholic devotions based on one of the Mass readings of the day. Published new each quarter, these reflections are written by women and men from a variety of backgrounds - lay people as well as clergy and religious. Learn more.

Receive a free reflection for Sundays every week via email

About Living Faith Living Faith Foundation Ambassador Privacy Policy F.A.Q. Contact Us

© 2025 Creative Communications for the Parish, a division of Bayard, lnc. All Rights Reserved.