Tag: #Cain&Abel

Finding the Sacredness in Tragedy – Part 3: Cain & Abel (Continued)

Image Credit: Creative Disciple Making by Jacob Abshire

In Part 1, we explored the forever heartbreaking loss of lives and dreams in the Story of the Challenger. This story prompted us to identify two questions we often ask ourselves when tragedy strikes.  

“Where was God?” and “Why did this have to happen?”

Then, in Part 2, we read a few sections of the biblical narrative of the Story of Cain and Abel. There, we saw Divine intervention. God spoke directly to Cain. We learned that Cain was angry, which led us to believe that anger impacted his decision to kill his brother. We don’t know whether Cain’s anger was toward God, his brother, or perhaps both. Part 2 ended with the tricky question, “Why did God let this happen?” We will use this question as a springboard to further explore the sacredness that is so often found in tragedy. 

The Essence of Sacredness

Let’s begin with sacredness. 

Sacredness is hard to describe. But I’ll give it a go. Sacredness is how we identify something or someone that has been touched, directly or indirectly, by the Divine or the Divine appointed, like angels. 

Did you know there are one hundred twenty-six references to “sacred” in The Bible? Here are a few of the thirty-one words described as sacred:

Sacred Stones
Sacred Gifts
Sacred Anointing Oil
Sacred Food
Sacred Gems
Sacred Cities
Sacred Mountains

Sacredness has something to do with worship, reverence, and holiness. Let’s look at this passage where God talks to Moses.

“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 
Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and Jacob.” 
At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.

Exodus 3:5,8

Even tough the word “sacred” does not appear here, I would describe Moses’ experience as sacred. Would you? Moses was in God’s presence on Mount Sinai, where he stood on holy ground. 

What Else is Sacred?

The Catholic Church has seven sacraments – Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion, Confession, Marriage, Holy Orders, and the Anointing of the Sick. Each of these experiences is sacred. 

One might say that sacredness is part of the whole.

It is in life. It is in death. 

And it is everything in between. 

Sacred Ground

Sacredness lies within each of us.

Our ancestors made it possible for us to be on this earth. Whether we remember one, two, or three generations, they have influenced us. Their sacrifices were for us to have the life we have today. Let that sink in.

Their final resting place is on sacred ground. Why? Inside each of us is a tiny part of God. God is holy, and hence, by the laws of genetics, we are sacred, too. 

Probing Questions

“Where does the sacredness reside in this story of Cain and Abel?”

What can we learn from this?

This story tells us the very nature of God. It is a snapshot from birth to death. 

God creates Adam and Eve. 
Eve gives birth to two sons. 
God rejects Cain’s offering. 
Cain murders Abel. 
Cain lies to God.
God gives grace to Cain and shows him mercy. 

Embracing the Mystery

Despite life’s adversities and unanswered questions, we find solace in God’s presence. Knowing God is with us in our trials and tribulations gives us peace. When we mourn, God mourns. When we are joyful, God is joyful. How we see God is how others see us. Let that sink in. Pause to reflect on that.

Like the birds in the air, God feeds them. And we are more valuable than birds. (Matthew 6:26)

As we reflect on family tragedies, The Challenger disaster, and other calamities, may we ask God to take away our pain and sorrow as we grapple with these life-and-death questions.

Our human mind can’t fully understand the Divine, and that is okay. That is where the sacredness lies. A mystery, if you will. Continue to ask questions. The very question of existence may just reveal itself to you.

In Part 4, we will look at the Story of Noah through the eyes of the sacredness of tragedy.

#Cain&Abel #Sacredness #Tragedy #LifeQuestions

Finding the Sacredness in Tragedy – Part 2: Cain & Abel

Image Found: haelantherapies.com (Source Unknown)

When adversity strikes, the wounds can be deep.

Today, we will examine the questions we might ask ourselves when tragedy attacks.

In the face of such pain, people find themselves grappling with profound questions such as:

“Where was God?” and “Why did this have to happen?”

Every day, lives and dreams disappear in the twinkling of an eye. In Part 1, we saw how they disappeared the moment the O-rings failed following the launch of the Challenger space shuttle. 

Life is truly short.

We turn now to the Old Testament.

The Story of Cain and Abel

Two brothers. 
One jealous. 
One not. 
One life.
One death.

In the fourth chapter of Genesis, the first book of the Bible, we learn of the tragic tale of Adam and Eve’s family. They have two sons, Cain and Abel. Then, one day, in a fit of jealousy, Cain kills his brother Abel.

Let’s read a few verses.

 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord.  And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock.
The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor.
So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

Genesis 4:3-5

“Where was God?” and “Why did this have to happen?”

We really don’t know. Cain may have felt God’s absence, which may have fueled the fire. Yet, there is no doubt that Cain was angry. But we don’t know how furious he was or what type of anger management issues he may have had.

Which brings us more questions than answers.

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”
“I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.”

Genesis 4:9-10

After God asks Cain what he has done, Cain lies. God banishes Cain from his presence and makes him a wanderer. And that is the end of the story.

So, these questions remain:

Where was God when Cain killed Abel?
Why did God let this happen?
Where is the sacredness in this story?

Like in all tragedy, God is there. Right? I tend to think, yes. Yet, many people may feel that God is no where to be found during difficult times. This theme will be woven throughout this series. In this Story of Cain and Abel, God was in the midst. Smack in the middle! As we see in the dialogue between God and Cain.

Another compelling question to consider, not listed above, in the Cain and Abel story is: “What made one offering more acceptable to God than the other?” This question might get at the heart of the matter, “Why did God let this happen?” Perhaps God’s favoritism toward Abel was the trigger for his murder.

Favoritism

If you ask siblings if their parents had a favorite, I’m pretty sure most of the time, a sibling would be able to “name” the favorite. It could be the oldest, the youngest, or the one who was the most “obedient” child. But let’s flip this a bit. How would you feel if you weren’t the favorite? Pause and think about it. 

Before we leave the hot topic of “favorites,” consider this: How would you feel if God favored someone over you? This situation seems to take it up a notch, doesn’t it? And, in a roundabout way, it brings us back to one of the initial questions.

A Tricky Question

“Why did God let this happen?” A tricky question, for sure. Why does God let any tragedy happen? Cain could have been pissed off at God. He didn’t have to kill his brother, did he? It’s complicated. Clearly, we don’t have all the facts.

In the next few posts, we will continue to search for the sacredness that is either in or emerges from tragedy. Hang in there, dear reader, Part 3 will shed more light. I promise.

#Cain&Abel #Sacredness #WhereWasGod #Tragedy #LifeQuestions