part 2

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Today, I was thinking about my post from yesterday "am I my brother's keeper?"  I am reading Pope Francis' autobiography simply entitled HOPE.  I am not very far into the book as yet, but the question Cain poses to God in Genesis is already an important theme in the autobiography.  However, while I am aware of what i wrote yesterday, I am thinking about it in a slightly different light today.

The Pope is speaking about the horrors of war.  His grandparents and great-grandparents had to deal with the ravages of war in Italy.  Still they were able to not only survive but were also able to get out of the country before WWI escalated to epic proportions, arriving and thriving in Buenos Aires.  Well maybe they didn't thrive at first, but with determination and faith, they did well.  Yet, in the grand scheme of things, thousands more were not so lucky.  Soldiers and civilians alike perished, even some while at sea trying to get to Argentina.

One very wise thing the Pope refers to is that WAR IS STUPID.  There is no such thing as intelligence in terms of war.  It only makes the rich richer and the poor poorer.  It's "leaders" sit behind desks giving orders and are nowhere near the fighting and blood, while those receiving and following orders are sent to their graves.  Yet, if they received an order and did not carry it out, there would be consequences.  It really makes no sense at all.  But here is the kicker.

"Am I my brother's keeper?" is a theme that not only refers back to Cain and Abel.  It's a theme that continues to pervade our current situation in the world.  It's never MY fault.  There is (and has constantly been) blame for someone's action not taken by the perpetrator.  It's always someone else's fault or problem.  "I didn't do it."  That's the attitude of the government officials.  "They pulled the triggers, not me."  There is definitely a side of me that says those are the men who will be answering to God in the long run.  And I would have to think -- like so many others -- that they will either end up in hell because they don't know how to apologize and take responsibility for their actions, or spend a whole bunch of time in purgatory (you know, that long line that St. Jude minds for so many lost causes).

When will compassion become the norm?

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