Abel & Cain

Was God behaving like humans? Or do we imagine God like humans?

Today’s first reading was the story of Cain and Abel, their offerings, and eventual killing of Abel by Cain. What Cain did was absolutely wrong. But some questions (as raised by the Jesuit who preached in our church too) can be asked…

Was God partial to Abel?

Why God also behave like most of us, appreciating the good offering and rejecting the offering of Cain? Was it unlike God, who is much more unconditional? Does it go with the image of Jesus’ Abba?

I am looking at Biblical commentaries for the answer, but just share a small thought (slightly influenced by what I heard today).

Can God be partial? It is possible. Why? I don’t know. You can always ask why God called Peter and John, and not someone else? Why Mary and Joseph, and not other couple etc? Or a better word is a, particular kind of love. That doesn’t mean others are not loved. Every partiality or particular love is for the sake of a certain mission, through which others are benefitted. And if we look from a certain other point of view (pov), God is partial to each one in some way. It’s just that some of us realize it; or that the society, the world and probably the church too recognize some of them more clearly than others.

And to God’s behaviour? Was it like us — good humans, loving in return and hating in return? God loved Abel and Cain. It is no where written that God had a special love or partiality towards Abel. God accepted Abel’s gift, which was more pleasing for him. God didn’t accept Cain gift. More than a comparison of the person, the gift of one was good and the other was not good. It was a comparison of the their offerings.

Dislike or non-appreciation of a gift/talent is not equal to rejection of the person.

As psychology will say, people and behaviour needn’t be equated. I can hate a behaviour, and love the person of the behaviour.

The story of Abel-Cain, when read in the light of the gospel continues to emphasize this point. Sadly, each one of us struggle to make this distinction within our human relationship and also with God.

God may not appreciate all of my actions. God always love us and that embrace is always available for us.