Cain’s offering went unappreciated,
Left him feeling unfairly treated and so might we: when work done goes unrewarded,
The fear most detested is going unnoticed.
Abel’s offering drew praise,
Cain bewildered, as we might be,
Thought am I not good enough?
Overcome by self righteous anger, Cain lost control, took revenge and
Slew his brother,
Then worried what to tell his mother.
Did he think his pain justified the desire to be rid of Abel?
Did he feel guilty for the murder,
Like most of us would?
Or ironically believe, he could sacrifice Abel and be free ?
Terror-stricken, Cain denied knowing his brother’s fate.
Instead feared others might take revenge,
For killing the innocent, using unjust labels,
Cain begged to escape divine retribution,
Then mercy marked him for life long protection.
Cain fathered children and built cities.
Life was kind to him, a fate most humans desire.
So what feels wrong in this story?
Is there no justice for noble Abel,
Who made his own innocent sacrifice,
Only to die deserted, alone, and without promise?
Should no vengeance repay this evil
So unfairly done?
Cain’s violence denied his brother a full human life,
Cain grew strong and successful in spite of making a human sacrifice.
Cain lived to a ripe old age,
Abel died long before his time — a familiar refrain for the sons and daughters of humankind.
Abel’s blood cried out from the dust.
A very strange justice, it seems to us; but no murder can be undone.
Death for a death makes more dead.
Life for life encourages living,
The possibility of healing.
Justice is for the living, not the dead.
But first be purged of moral superiority and arrogant judgment,
For all descendants of Cain are tested.
All can sacrifice an Abel, an unjust victim,
Call it righteous and then trembling,
Beg God’s mercy.
Christ have mercy.
THH
12/11/24
Thoughts Have Hands 