Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”

“I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”  Genesis 4:9

Another morning, another round of news. Another day of questions regarding the public health versus personal freedoms.  Another day of protests.  Another day of confusion.

Yes, I am confused.  So much information is flooding us that we are never sure what to believe.  Should we continue to practice social distancing?  Is it okay for my daughter to play with a friend closer than six feet?  Is this all just overkill?  Or are the rising numbers a concern?

Honestly, I do not know but I’m not willing to take unnecessary chances that could affect hundreds of people my family comes into contact with in “normal times”, many of which are health compromised.

I thought of this Sunday morning when outside speaking (at a distance) to a neighbor.  Her church resumed in person worship, but she is not going yet.  She has a health issue that concerns her regarding Covid-19.  And it should.

It should concern everyone that many in our population is vulnerable.  That does not mean that everyone has to hide in the basement, but to be concerned, to remember that we are our brother’s (and sister’s) keeper means we should have an open mind regarding wearing masks in public, or giving people space when we are out, or even what we say and how we say it regarding reopening our communities.

Being our brother’s keeper is aligned with another scriptural thought:  Love your neighbor as yourself.  If we truly love one another, if we love our neighbors, we should be willing to keep them in mind as we go out into our communities.

Basically, we are their keeper.  God said so.

Peace,

Pastor Bill