Am I My Brother’s Keeper? (1/02/2024)

The past Sunday, as I sat in the back pew of church because of my allergies to poinsettias, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Then a voice was right next to my ear as the usher whispered, “Someone has a question.” I stood up to find another gentleman next to the usher. It was this man who was really inquiring. The usher was the “go between.” The question was concerning a parishioner whom the gentleman hadn’t seen for a while and was concerned. I admitted sadly that I wasn’t sure, and I took out my phone, stepped outside the church, and dialed his number. I was saddened when I heard the message, “This number is no longer in service.”

I must admit that the well-being of the one in question remained on my mind during mass, and it is still there. I have the man’s number because I was checking in with him regularly out of concern. Today the parish office is open; I will call and inquire. Hopefully, the secretary will be able to help me.

As I thought about this man who has given so much to our community, I felt badly that I didn’t know how he was doing or even where he was. And Cain’s question kept coming into my mind. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” And I feel the LORD is saying, “Yes.”

We matter to the LORD and as children of the Almighty Father, we are called to care for one another and care about one another. When one of us is “missing,” we should all notice. Whether it is health or hurt or another reason, the absence of one of us around the Table of the LORD is a concern we all should carry.

When I was growing up, our church in Waycross, Georgia was small. And we all had our “regular” pew. One knew when another was missing because the pew was empty. That’s the way I was raised. But then I moved on to large parishes with large churches and multiple masses. Missing someone is more complicated then. Perhaps they were at a different mass.

I like the idea of being in a community where the absence of one of us is missed. Would anyone notice if I wasn’t there? Do I notice when others are missing? I thought I did, but then this happened.  And my mind flies to one of my favorite “I AM” sayings of Jesus, “I AM the Good Shepherd.” He modeled for us the concern we should have for our sister or brother who is not there. I don’t believe this man has “strayed,” but I do believe that he deserves to know that the flock cares about him because Jesus also told us: “love one another as I have loved you.”

As we begin a new year as disciples on the way, let us take care to notice those who are journeying with us. Let us seek to care for one another as Christ commanded, loving one another as He has loved us.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.