As the Biblical story goes, Cain and Abel, were the sons of the first man, Adam and his wife, Eve. While Cain was a farmer, Abel raised livestock. When the time came to make offerings to God, Cain offered some vegetables from his harvest, whereas Abel picked the best of his livestock to offer God. Pleased with Abel, God accepted his sacrifice and rejected that of Cain’s. In a jealous rage, Cain killed Abel. When God asked Cain where his brother was, he said, “I don’t know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”
In case, you are wondering why I started off with this Biblical story, it was to explain where the phrase ‘brother’s keeper’ came from.
Am I My Brother’s Keeper?
To my mind, the philosophy of being my brother’s keeper is similar to Ubuntu. There’s a story doing the rounds recently. Let me share it with you.
Ubuntu
An anthropologist proposed a game to the kids in an African tribe. He put a basket full of fruit near a tree and told the kids that who ever got there first won the sweet fruits. When he told them to run they all took each others hands and ran together, then sat together enjoying their treats. When he asked them why they had run like that as one could have had all the fruits for himself they said: Ubuntu. Ubuntu in the Xhosa culture means: “I am because we are.”
Today more than ever, I’m certain that we’re all called to be our brother’s keeper – to look out for one another, to have each other’s back. I can only ‘be’ because ‘we’ are.
I’m happy to say, despite all the illness, fear, death and despair, I’ve witnessed people reaching out to others like never before. People giving of their time and money, to reach out to those whose livelihoods were taken away by the lockdown. Others helping older people and those who were immunocompromised to get groceries and essentials. I read of a young woman in New Delhi who, during the lockdown, woke up at around 4 am each morning to help her Mum cook food and then set off on her scooter to deliver this to people’s homes.
When all the ordinary divides and patterns are shattered, people step up to become their brothers’ keepers. And that purposefulness and connectedness bring joy even amidst death, chaos, fear, and loss.
Rebecca Solnit
But now, in India at least, the lockdowns have lifted. Things are slowly limping back to normal. But I’m afraid we’re forgetting the social solidarity we displayed in times of social distancing.
A simple question: Do you wear a mask when you are out in public?
I see so many people not bothering to do this in my city. Even worse, I read and watch videos about people coming up with outrageous reasons for not wearing a mask. I’ve seen videos of people who’ve been asked to put on their masks deliberately spitting in the face of those making that request!
Wearing a mask is a simple, deliberate act of caring for others. We must work from the assumption that there is always someone vulnerable around us and take necessary steps to protect ourselves and others.
In case you need convincing about why a mask is necessary, let Bill Nye explain it to you!
Today, let’s recommit to keeping ourselves and others safe. Let’s be our brother’s keeper! Let’s wear our masks properly and mindfully.
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Great thoughtful post Corinne – yes in these strange times we’ve all been looking out for each other. Of course there’s always the ‘defiant’ ones but they’re in the minority.
Looking out for each other through following the guidelines and wearing went a long way to bringing Melbourne (and Victoria) to the point where we are today.
lol I’m not quite sure I could come up with78 reasons to be grateful. I’m just grateful to be here!
In USA, cases are still increasing after Thanksgiving. So, people are diligently following wearing face masks. We should remember that by wearing mask we are not only protecting our loved ones from Covid but also others.
Yes, I read some pretty scary post-Thanksgiving stories, Mahati. Not sure why people can’t do the minimum!
Dear Cory,
Glad to see this post. I wrote about Ubuntu in the December of 2016.
https://natashamusing.com/2016/12/lets-ubuntu/
Yes, its a pity to see people lolling around minus their masks, especially during these times when the numbers have spiked drastically. Shows how callous people can be about themselves and those around them.
Thank you for sharing the Cain and Abel’s story. It was a good reminder, something I’d read long back.
Take care and be safe, you too.
Thanks for hosting. Much love. <3
And Happy Yule.
Natasha recently posted..On Turning Four: #Blogiversary #BlogAnniversary #AmWriting
Yes, you should know with your family being infected, Natasha. Staying safe is about keeping others safe, right!
I love this tale Ubuntu,and the philosophy behind it. Rightly said till even a single case is there, we have to wear masks, not just for self but for others also.
Ruchi Nasa recently posted..40 things I am grateful for !!#MondayMusings
Yes, I love the concept of Ubuntu. It’s the only way to be, especially at this time.
Yes, even if I wear my mask only for the peace of others, that is reason enough.
Right, Michele. Your comment kind of reminds me of something St Paul said.
Dear Cory,Glad to read this post.
Thanks, Sapna. Stay safe!
Yes!!! I love this post. We are called on to be our brother’s keeper. Building community, being considerate, and putting others first is exactly what we are called to do. We sometimes need reminders, just like this one!
Laurie recently posted..Keeping My Hands Dirty
Thank you, Laurie. It’s sad that we need to be reminded especially in this situation.
How do you get people to wear masks and take other safety measures? They really have the most outrageous reasons for not wearing a mask. One young man at the bank told me he was writing out a cheque so he had removed his mask, as if he was writing the cheque with his face!!!! When will people start acting like responsible adults?
Oh my goodness! What an excuse. If they were only putting themselves at risk, it would be okay, but they’re compromising our health as well!