In the Beginning 04: Cain and Abel

In his sermon, Tim noted humanity’s assigned roles in creation: to till, keep, nurture, and conserve…to be the keepers of everything that is. (Hebrew: abad and shamar). Contrary to the message that sometimes dominates Christian narratives, our job, Tim said, isn’t to be perfect; it’s to be faithful.  When we’re talking about “everything that is,” that obviously encompasses a lot of areas and things. As a group, brainstorm a quick list of some of the different elements of creation so you can have some specifics as you continue discussing.  In light of the different items you listed, discuss what it means to till, keep, nurture, and conserve in those areas. What does it look like to be a faithful keeper in some of the different areas and contexts you listed?  What are some of the barriers and areas of resistance you might encounter trying to do the work of faithful of keeping in some of these areas? What are some of the ways you respond to these barriers and resistances to your faithful intentions?

Tim pointed out that neither Cain nor the reader is given a reason for the rejection of Cain’s offering. God’s response seems arbitrary and unfair - just like so many of life’s experiences and realities.  When we feel alienated and not enough, and when we have no explanation for our unfair situations, we find ourselves at a crossroads similar to the one Cain encounters.  One response Tim articulated is to turn to stories we tell ourselves in an effort to make sense of why we feel like we’re missing out, alienated, and not enough. In these stories (or fantasies, in philosophical terms), we blame others for our circumstances in order to make sense of why.  Who are some of your go-to people to blame when crafting your own fantasy stories? What themes tend to arise in your stories? How does it feel to consider themes and recurring people in your own fantasy stories?

Rather than blaming and stories, Tim taught that the ache we all feel is meant to turn us toward one another. What’s more is that we are, in ironic contrast to Cain’s snide response to God, meant to be each other’s keepers.  Embracing St. Thomas Aquinas’ language, Tim said that, “humanity is placed in creation, at least in part, to embody grace within nature.”  Think back to the themes and recurring figures in your own blaming fantasies and stories. What would it look like to embody grace in those relationships and paradigms instead? What would it mean to fully embrace the idea of being the “keeper” of one or some of the people your stories tend to blame in life’s painful places? How do you feel about this idea? Consider some of your own specific unfair challenges and circumstances. In what ways do you allow those things to turn you toward others? In which ways might you do so? What surfaces for you as you contemplate turning toward others and embodying grace, rather than leaning into blaming stories and fantasy? What about this approach feels appealing? What feels unappealing?