I have been thinking about unity and violence. How does the turn happen? For Cain it is losing his joy for being in union with his brother. He sees his own life separate, individual, and alien from Abel. He sees Abel, no longer as necessary for his life’s joy and delight, but as an obstruction, an obstacle, a hindrance to his fulfillment.  

How often this is replicated! Lucifer, the Angel of Light, no longer sees God as necessary for his joy but an obstacle.  

I admire that Dad didn’t view people as objects to climb for success. I would love to talk with him about how to navigate relationships that have moved into a space of fear, scarcity, and bitterness. A place where scarcity, anger, jealousy, or competition compels a desire to alienate. The space where we begin to eye the other with the eyes of Cain.  

I pray we can be people who view each other with love and compassion regardless of our differences, to love even our enemies with the eyes of Jesus. 

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” 

Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. – Genesis 4:6-8 

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