Dear Members and Friends,
Perhaps the first telltale evidence that the predilection to sin resides deeply encoded in our DNA is manifested in the sibling rivalry within the biblical First Family. Herein lies the preeminent and prophetic witness revealing a species hell-bent on destroying itself. It is the sad exposition of fact that sometimes in the cause of personal gain or the realization of private vision, everyone is expendable, even one's own kin.
Looking at the Oklahoma City bombing from the very distant perspective of passing time and no personal connection, I have found that there is something even more horrifying than the sight of the collapsed Federal Building. Far more fundamentally disquieting than the smoldering wreckage of a once formidable edifice is the dehumanizing and deliberately devaluing vocabulary used by Timothy McVeigh referring to his innocent victims as "collateral damage." Up to this point I had always viewed collateral as something like a house or a car, property put up for a loan, not people blown up in smoke.
Apart from the inevitable excesses and mistakes within a raging war, what is it inside our souls that allows us to champion a political cause at the intentional expense of small children? What is it that enables us to claim noble, even divine aspirations as we victimize those whose only desire is simply to go about their daily lives?
Back in the Original Story, as Cain's inconsolable dissatisfaction with himself and his life seethes past the boiling point, it is his brother Abel who suffers the consequences. As opposed to reading of Cain's personal quest to improve his own character, instead we are told the truth about Abel's blood being spilled upon the earth crying out for justice.
At this time, it seems to me as we would reject any assertion that Timothy McVeigh is anything like us, we must redouble our efforts never to become like him. In this regard it becomes profoundly informative that even after the dreadful sin against his own brother, God did not view Cain as collateral damage, but as a wayward child. When it comes to those who inflict great harm, perhaps the real issue isn't so much what we do with them, but what we think of them. Whatever just penalties will be meted out to those whose crimes are unacceptable and unconscionable, the real question for us remains. Will we become what we condemn and reduce our enemies to being expendable garbage, or will we rise up to the wisdom of God and see them as terribly broken, yet still our brothers?
From Reverend William J. Keane,
Senior Minister of First Baptist Church of Branford
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