Am I My Brother’s Keeper?

This morning, as I gazed at my lighted Christmas tree hung with an eclectic bunch of ornaments, a seemingly unrelated thought p0pped into my head. With no direction or invitation on my part, that ancient question first uttered by an anguished Cain  millennia ago: Am I my brother’s keeper?

Now, what on earth was there about that pretty little tree that inspired such a thought? Maybe the ornaments? The latch-hooked rug that Helen made? The wallpaper angel from Carlene? Mom’s crocheted snowflakes? Or maybe it was Matt’s handmade ornaments from grade school or Sara and Nathan’s, through their years of growing up. I guess I was thinking about my family and how I wish the best for each of them.

I can’t be the keeper of my family’s activities, their plans, their goals, but I can be, as much as it is possible, the keeper of their reputations, and when they are children, of their emotional well-being, a healthy out-look on life. I can be a shield between them and calamity in as much as lies within me.

As I’ve said, my brothers and I like to solve the world’s problems. We came up with a simple solution the other day: If everyone treated others as they would like to be treated, what would happen to angry words, feuds, wars, for goodness sake? Why, there might actually be peace on earth. And, you know what that boils down to? The Golden Rule! If schools and homes aided churches in teaching, “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you”, we would actually be our brothers’ keepers, in the nicest way possible. Jesus said, “Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12).

This extends not only to families but to friends, acquaintances, to anybody. Treating others with respect, not subjecting them to harsh words, loud voices, criticisms, verbal attacks. One translation of another Bible verse goes something like this: Gossip is a dainty morsel eaten with great relish. Protect the reputation of people you don’t even know. Even if it’s true, if it’s detrimental, don’t repeat it; keep it. Be your brother’s keeper and protector of his or her reputation.

Anyway, I didn’t know that gazing at a lighted Christmas tree all decked out in its finery would cause me to wax philosophical. Maybe it’s the Spirit of the Season. Maybe there’s an abundance of love and acceptance in the air. Try it some quiet morning. It may be called “Reflection”.