"When the man and his wife heard the footsteps of God, who walked in the garden when the breeze of the day blew, they hid themselves from his presence among the trees of the garden, but God called the man, asking," Where are you? " Gn 3,9) This excerpt from the book of Genesis can inspire us, in a verse, to reflect on the intimate relationship between man and God.The reading leads us to question: why would it be necessary for God, Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient, ask where was Adam? Should not he know? Let's reflect on the step.
The passage narrates the first contact of man with God after original sin. Notice that the first reaction of sinful man before God is to hide. It is then, that the Lord calls for man, asking where he is. But it is not the physical place, He does not question man's hiding place, but he seeks in Adam his work, being pure and free from sin. This translates into doubt the foundation of God's will for us, since man is his image and likeness, free from sin.
The reading and interpretation of the Bible can not be superficial. Reflection is necessary, word for word, so that we can understand the feeling of each one of the people and the moment in the history of the creation in which the narrative is passed. In the passage we analyze, we must understand a man who is not aware of sin, there was, until then, nothing to disappoint the will of God. This man, aware of his disobedience, tries to turn away from the Creator. God, in turn, looks for the one to whom he gave his life, the man to whom he gave His garden, to take care of and cultivate. But there is a sinful and ashamed man there. Where would pure creation be? This is the questioning of God for Adam.
In the book of Nehemiah, in the Old Testament, we read that the people met, praised God and listened to the reading of the Word. But it was not a superficial reading: "they read the book of the Law of God, translating it and giving explanations, so that the people could understand the reading" (Ne 8,8). This is because it corresponds to the man with a serene heart to receive the message of God through the biblical reading. We have to calm the waters, tribulated away the thoughts of everyday life, to praise God and to read, as a receiver of the Word and not a mere listener.
God be with us and enlighten us. So be it!