In today’s first reading from Genesis, it is significant that Adam names his wife Eve, meaning “life” or “living.” Despite the fall and the announcement of suffering, life continues. Hope continues. Humanity’s story is not over. Genesis 3 does not end in despair, but reveals a God who seeks, corrects and promises restoration. Even in our lowest moments, grace begins to unfold. We can pick ourselves up from the many shattered pieces of our lives, and join them back, albeit cracked and ugly; all this done with God’s grace. At the foot of the Cross, we see in Mary a loving mother and a model of faithful discipleship. Despite the sorrow, she trusted in God, and became the Mother of the Church. She became the second Eve, the Mother of the Living. She picked herself up after the drastic experience of her Son’s death. Like Mary, we are invited to stand with Christ even when it is difficult, and to allow the Cross to shape how we love and care for others. And, like Mary, we know we can recover and grow into better persons, especially as a community, ie the Church. Let us draw life from the grace that flows from Christ’s sacrifice.