Religious freedom

Am I My Brother's Keeper? (Genesis 4:10)

Anne Lastman

Contents - Dec 2015 Religious freedom: Catholic bishops face more than prosecution over marriage leaflet - Pat Byrne Education: Religious education: parents' responsibility or school's? - Fr Pat Stratford Apostolic voyage: Pope Francis supports Catholic church during Africa visit - AD2000 Report Genocide: US religious leaders condemn ISIS genocide against Christians - Nahal Toosi Germany: Pope Francis deplores decline of Catholicism in Germany - AD2000 Report China: New clampdown on believers in China - Bernardo Cervellera Religious freedom: Am I My Brother's Keeper? (Genesis 4:10) - Anne Lastman Has the Messiah come or returned? - Andrew Sholl Ordinariate Missal: "Divine Worship: The Missal" preserves Anglican patrimony - Fr James Bradley St Clement's revealing Letter to the Corinthians - Peter Westmore Letters: Euthanasia: letter to a PM - Arnold Jago Letters: Synod outcome "led by the Holy Spirit" Letters: Support religious freedom in India - Scott Schittl Reflection: Christmas: a time of light, peace and joy - Archbishop Mark Coleridge

Dear friends, as we sat in silence and waited for those members in the Victorian Parliament to vote on the "bubble zone" legislation, the question: "Am I my brother's keeper?", kept echoing loudly in my head.

Under this legislation, directed against the Helpers of God's Precious Infants, they are not permitted within 150 metres of designated abortion facilities.

We wanted to see if MPs would vote in favour of their littlest brothers and sisters who would otherwise be condemned to death without even one person being able to offer a last moment of reprieve or even to stand there and wait whilst they died.

I share the question, "Am I my brother's keeper?", with you because I think the words are appropriate and relevant for these days.

The words, "Am I my brother's keeper?" was Cain's response to God's question: "Where is Abel, your brother?", whom Cain had just killed.

Jesus' response

This original question remained suspended and unanswered for innumerable thousands of years until it was answered by Jesus' own resounding YES on the cross. No greater love hath he that he lay down his life for his friend

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." (Jn 15:13) or perhaps even lay down his life for his littlest brother/sister. This is what has been asked of those who answered the question, "Am I my brother's keeper?"

Jesus on the Cross died in place of his brother or sister and in doing so answered the question, "Am I my brother's keeper"" Yes. Yes. shouts Jesus. "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

This is the response of love in answer to that ancient question of anti-love.

Today the new place of anti-love, the new place of violence, abortion, demands a new response to the question, "Am I my brother's keeper?"

"Yes" answers Jesus, and is willingly sacrificed.

"Am I my brother's keeper?"

Yes we respond by doing all we can to save our littlest brother or sister.

"Am I my brother's keeper?"

Yes, when we all mourn for the littlest one who is unjustly killed, and its mother and father cannot mourn the loss of their child, this precious life.

"Am I my brother's keeper?"

"Yes" we answer when we refuse to accept the death of our littlest infants.

"Am I my brother's keeper?"

"Yes, I am my brother's keeper and his load which becomes too heavy I will help him carry it."

"Am I my brother's keeper?"

"Yes I am my brother's keeper, I care that he dies unknown unrecognised, unloved. I care for him."

"Am I my brother's keeper?"

"Yes" I am my brother's keeper, I mourn for every child who dies unloved, unwanted, uncherished.

"Am I my brother's keeper?"

"Yes" I am my brother's keeper, I bleed because he is suffers and bleeds and dies.

"Am I my brother's keeper?"

Yes I am my brother's keeper, his death is unjust and his voice cries out for justice and is in pain.

"Am I my brother's keeper?"

Yes I am my brother's keeper I will not stand by and watch while my brother is killed and incinerated like something worthless. He is my greatest treasure. My brother's unjust death washes the ground with his blood. This has been done before. Sacred blood.

"Am I my brother's keeper?"

Yes I am my brother's keeper I will not stand by and watch a child be abused, ill-treated, enslaved, killed."

Yes I am my brother's keeper. I am diminished when my littlest brother or sister is wantonly killed.

Yes truly I am my brother's keeper."

Jesus responded to the question, "Am I my brother's keeper?" when His own blood fell to the ground in droplets. He responded, "I will redeem you and restore honour to you because you are my brother. I am your keeper. Your will not be alone."

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 28 No 11 (December 2015 - January 2016), p. 7