Motivation Mondays: My Brother’s Keeper

“When brothers quarrel, strangers inherit the land.” African Proverb (Ethiopian origin)

Motivation Mondays: My Brother’s Keeper

Motivation Mondays: My Brother’s Keeper

“And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?” Genesis 4:9
“Religion reminds every man that he is his brother’s keeper.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

Are you your brother’s/sister’s keeper? Recently, one of my sisters shared the video above in which a community, scared of what they believed was a monster in their only source of water – the community well- decided that a brave man in the community should go down the well and face the demon. No one volunteered. After an awkward silence, a man stepped forward and said he would carry out the task only if his brother were the first man closest to the well, holding the rope that lowered him (the volunteer) into the well. Watch the video and find out why.

What makes us our brother’s/sister’s keeper? The video had me thinking that we could all have the opportunity to be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers truly, but it must be grounded in unshakable trust. We can stand up for each other and stand in faith for each other, but it must be based on a commitment not to back down in the face of challenges. Why? You might ask. Ponder it, watch the video, and then tell me why it is imperative.

My Brother’s Keeper by Clive James
My brother lives in fear
Of the hidden cries he seems to hear
Somewhere ahead the King of Hell
Somewhere below a kitten in a well.

Am I my brother’s keeper?
Am I my brother’s keeper?

My brother lives a lie.
When his laughter splits the summer sky
Somewhere inside he skips a breath
Somewhere in there he dies the little death

Am I my brother’s keeper?
Am I my brother’s keeper?

Every second morning now for years
My brother has put on my brawn and brain
To wander through the universe in pain
And my happiness of yesterday
Is walked and scorned away
Before he returns to me in tears

My brother lives a life
In the narrow shadow of the knife
Somewhere behind a hill of skulls
Somewhere below a beach of dying gulls

​Am I my brother’s keeper?
Am I my brother’s keeper? via CliveJames

“It is that fundamental belief, it is that fundamental belief, I am my brother’s keeper, I am my sister’s keeper that makes this country work. It’s what allows us to pursue our individual dreams and yet still come together as one American family. E pluribus unum. Out of many, one.” Barack Obama

Motivation Mondays: My Brother’s Keeper

What is the origin of the Phrase “my brother’s keeper?” The biblical reference for “my brother’s keeper” comes from Genesis 4:1-16 and tells the story of the world’s first siblings, Cain and Abel. Here is a summary of the key events between these brothers.
The Story of Cain and Abel
The Offerings: Adam and Eve have two sons; Cain becomes a farmer, and Abel becomes a shepherd.
The Favoritism: Both brothers bring offerings to God, but God favors Abel’s choice of livestock over Cain’s crops.
The Jealousy: Cain grows deeply angry and resentful despite God warning him to master his emotions.
The Murder: Cain lures Abel out into a field and kills him in a fit of jealousy.
The Lie: God asks Cain where Abel is, and Cain famously lies, saying, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”
The Punishment: God curses Cain to wander the earth as a restless fugitive unable to grow crops.
The Mark: God places a protective mark on Cain so no one will kill him in revenge.
Abel offered the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions, representing the absolute best of his livelihood. Cain brought “an offering of the fruit of the ground,” which the text implies was a standard, routine gift. Abel’s gift was heartfelt, generous, and reflected his flock’s abundance. Cain’s, by contrast, was not heartfelt and seemed almost like an afterthought. When we stand in faith for others, we must always bring our best, not our doubts, because our commitment to help another must be made on solid ground, not on stormy waters.

Abel and Cain by Charles Baudelaire

Race of Abel, sleep, drink and eat;
God smiles upon you with favor.

Race of Cain, in the mire,
crawl and die miserably.

Race of Abel, your sacrifice
flatters the nose of the Seraphim!

Race of Cain,
will your torment ever end?

Offspring of Abel, see your sowings
and your cattle prosper;

Race of Cain, your entrails
howl with hunger like an old dog.

Race of Abel, warm your belly
at your patriarchal hearth;

Race of Cain, in your den,
tremble with cold, poor jackal!

Race of Abel, love and multiply!
Your gold also makes offspring.

Race of Cain, burning heart,
beware of these great appetites.

Race of Abel, you grow and graze
like the bedbugs of the woods!

Race of Cain, on the roads,
dragging your family to their knees.

II

Ah! race of Abel, your carrion
will fertilize the smoking soil!

Race of Cain, your work
is not done sufficiently;

Race of Abel, here is your shame:
Iron is defeated by the spear!

The race of Cain ascends to heaven,
and casts God down to earth! via fleursdumal

“I’m trying to get people to see that we are our brother’s keeper. Red, white, black, brown or yellow, rich or poor, we all have the blues.” B. B. King

Motivation Mondays: My Brother’s Keeper

What does the Phrase mean in 21st-century Earth interactions/relationship? While Abel offered his sacrifice by faith, Cain did not, and he immediately became angry and jealous that his brother’s offering was heartfelt and his wasn’t. Cain betrayed a filial trust by killing Abel instead of protecting him and honoring his right to be favored by God. That betrayal and lack of empathy is what brings that Phrase into modern usage.

Why? Because it forces or reminds us to ask ourselves and others to remember that we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, and that empathy, gratitude, and support go a long way and will always be beneficial to the entire community beyond ourselves. Every time we make a gesture of support, aid, or help to another soul, our goodwill reverberates on our planet, sending shock waves of good energy that others pick up and pass on. To be our brothers’/sisters’ keeper is to serve humanity and each other in the purest and most noble way. It is a commitment to uplift each other even if it comes with additional challenges. Are you up for the task? Then go out and help those in need; help folks experiencing food insecurity, homelessness, health challenges, human rights violations, even loneliness. Be a better neighbor and serve.

Cain and Abel by William Aggeler

I

Race of Abel, sleep, eat and drink;
God smiles on you complacently.

Race of Cain, crawl on your belly,
Die in the mire wretchedly.

Race of Abel, your sacrifice
Delights the nose of the Seraphim!

Race of Cain, will there ever be
An ending to your punishment?

Race of Abel, see your sowing.
And your cattle thrive and flourish;

Race of Cain, your bowels
Howl with hunger like an old dog.

Race of Abel, warm your belly
At your patriarchal hearth;

Race of Cain, shiver with the cold
In your cavern, wretched jackal!

Race of Abel, love, proliferate!
Even your gold has progeny.

Race of Cain, with the burning heart,
Beware of those intense desires.

Race of Abel, you browse and grow
Like the insects of the forest!

Race of Cain, along the highways
Drag your destitute family.

II

Ah! Race of Abel, your carcass
Will fertilize the steaming soil!

Race of Cain, your appointed task
Has not been adequately done;

Race of Abel, your disgrace is:
The sword is conquered by the pike!

Race of Cain, ascend to heaven,
And cast God down upon the earth!

— William Aggeler, The Flowers of Evil (Fresno, CA: Academy Library Guild, 1954)

Positive Motivation Tip: To be our brothers’/sisters’ keeper is to serve humanity/each other in the purest and most committed way. WE can all do better.

PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos: my brother’s keeper, homelessness, fishing community via Pixabay

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet