Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
February 13, 2023
Daily Reading from the USCCB: Genesis 4:1-15, 25
These early chapters of Genesis record the growth of evil in creation. First it is Adam and Eve seeking to take over control from God. Next we learn about their offspring.
God looks with greater favor on Abel’s offering than on Cain’s. Cain begins to envy Abel and eventually murders him, usurping God’s sovereignty over human life. When God taxes Cain with what he has done, Cain simply denies that he has any responsibility for his brother. God cannot allow Cain’s sin to go unpunished. He’s condemned to become a wanderer on the earth. Yet God promises to protect his life.
The story of humankind is about sinfulness that grows from generation to generation. And yet God continues to look after his creature.
I take it that Cain was humanity’s first psychopath. What an embarrassment to say he was our ancestor, gag, gag. I disown him as an ancestor. In my family tree, I notice I’m also a direct descendant of Nero of all people! He’s another ancestor I’ve disowned. The rest of my ancestors are not that bad that I know of.