Learning to Live as Brothers and Sisters or the Pathway to Humanization

The story of the original fratricide questions our sense of brotherhood and our human relationships. It narrates the story of Abel – a shepherd – and Cain – a farmer. Here we have two activities that complement each other. Later the story speaks of the sacrifice of both to God. In the Jewish religion, (not exclusively), an offering is, among other things, the expression of gratitude of humans towards their Creator. The story tells us that: “Cain presented the produce of the earth as an offering to the Lord. On his part, Abel presented the firstborn of his flock, offering the best parts. Cain and Abel offered to God the fruit of their labor. The sacred author already underlines the difference between the two sacrifices: by his offering, Abel recognizes the primacy of God in his life.

God’s Justice is Opposed to That of Humans

The narrative tells us that God looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not. The reason for the divine action here remains a mystery. However, let us emphasize the fact that God recognized the offering of the youngest, the one whose name means “vanity”, and “worthless”. And this did not please Cain the elder brother whose name means both “to acquire” and “to be jealous”. This is where the problem begins, and this problem will run through the history of Israel because later Joseph suffered a similar fate at the hands of his brothers.

Fraternity to Be Recognized and Built

Let us notice that the word “Brother” not only appears for the first time here in the Bible but also appears 7 times in the story. “7” in the Bible is a symbolic number that refers to fullness. The sacred author lays emphasis on the fact that the problem of brotherhood is a reality to be recognized and built beyond blood ties. Cain is unable to accept God’s choice of his brother’s offering. The story tells us: “Cain was very angry and showed a downcast face.” God does not abandon him, however, but comes to his aid, and dialogues with him in the hope of helping him to overcome his inner irritation, to regain a cheerful face. Unfortunately, Cain did not understand that his joy comes from recognizing his brother as different before God. This voice of God which speaks in the silence of the heart, of the conscience, is sometimes muffled or even neglected.

Learning To Do Good

God said to Cain: “If you do good, will you not lift up your face? But if you don’t do good, sin is crouching at your door. It is lying in wait, but you must overcome it”. God sends Cain back to his conscience, to his freedom and will; he invites him to identify the cause of his suffering, to do an examination of conscience. Cain has the possibility of dominating this evil (jealousy) within him. The story thus shows that the desire to harm the other, when it is not controlled, can lead to great evils. Jealousy can then become an open door to murder. One can kill the other by denying his or her difference, by indifference to his or her life, or by words and gestures that hurt or undermine his or her physical, psychological integrity.

This Is Why it is Necessary to Attack Evil at its Root

Thus, to be angry with one’s brother, to insult the other, is comparable to murder (cf. Mt 5:21-22). It is an invitation to be attentive to the path that exists between “thought” and “action” because it is from within man’s heart that evil thoughts come out… (cf. Mt 15:19).

Brothers and Sisters in Jesus of Nazareth

Finally, this narration makes us understand that fraternity, in the biblical sense, is an ethical and spiritual reality. It transcends geographical, ethnic, racial, cultural, and religious boundaries. It is a call to move from jealousy to praise. To praise God for the gifts and talents of others leads us to happiness.

[Readings: Gn 4:1-15, 25; Mk 8:11-13]