Monday, February 13, 2023
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
Cain, Abel, the Pharisees and the rest of us
Jesus sighed from the depth of his spirit. “No sign will be given to this generation.” Then Jesus left them, got into the boat, and went off to the other shore.
Which generation was Jesus talking to? Surely it must be all of us, top to bottom, every generation since Yahweh closed the gates of Eden. Please, Jesus, come back. Don’t leave us. Give us time to see that your invitation “Follow me” is for us, and you are leading us back to Eden, back into the original blessing. Get back into your boat, Jesus, and come back to us.
Eve conceived and gave birth to Cain, saying, “I have produced a man with the help of the Lord.”
But then she had another son.
Next she bore his brother Abel.
Things were fine, until they weren’t. Abel was a herdsman, Cain a farmer. Sure, there were virtual wars in the west between cattlemen and homesteaders, and when barbed wire was invented the wars grew exponentially, until barbed wire won. But what happened between Cain and Abel?
The Lord looked with favor on Abel’s offering, one of the best of his flock. But on Cain and his offering, he did not. Cain greatly resented this.
God consoled Cain. He wanted Cain to learn from this rejection, not close down in anger.
Sin is lurking at your door, but you can be his master.
But then Cain killed Abel, and he lied to God to protect himself.
Where is your brother?
I don’t know. Am I my brother’s keeper?
And God said, “What have you done!”
Like mother, like father … like son. Still, I have always wanted to know the rest of the story. God had his hands full with those he created to fellowship with him and take dominion over all the animals and plants, over everything that he had made. He banished Cain from the soil, but Cain said:
My punishment is too great to bear.
God relented a bit.
If anyone kills Cain, Cain shall be avenged sevenfold. And the Lord put a mark on Cain to protect him.
Perhaps in his confusion and near despair, Cain might have written this poem (actually written by Clarence Heller):
Both/And
My head says I have nothing to complain about
but my heart wants to cry.
My head tells me I have tremendous privilege,
but my heart longs to be consoled.
My head tries to look on the bright side and to feel happy,
but my heart is sad and tired and afraid.
I always knew that my God is a God of both/and
though I’ve usually not experienced God and remained discontented…
God is present and absent,
speaking and silent,
loving me as I am
and inviting me to more.
God was not done with his humans.
Eve gave birth to a son whom she called Seth.
I met another Seth this morning – our teacher Jason’s 16 year old son, just now driving. We had a good conversation and I gave him my hat, a gray Volvo cap, since he is driving an ancient Volvo, which he loves. His brother Cavin just got his permit. They’ll be sharing the Volvo.
God is never done with us humans.
God is present and absent,
speaking and silent,
loving me as I am
and inviting me to more.
(Genesis 4, Psalm 90, John 14, Mark 8)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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