Violence as the Desire‎ to Control

The murder of Abel by his brother Cain as recorded in the book of Genesis (4:1-16) is considered the first murder in the history of mankind. Biblical experts tell us the story is a myth‎. According Father Shannon, in his book mentioned in last week’s Shalom, this is “a story set in primeval times intended to shed light on present human existence. What it tells us is that, while we have the obligation of care and concern and love for one another, we must never attempt to assume total authority over others. We should never try to be another’s “keeper.” (Idem, p. 96-97).

With regard to the manner of helping others, our author advises, “When we agree to help people in need, it must be a response to their need without any intent on our part of taking control of their lives. This is true whether it is the poor we are helping to get food, jobs, and soon, or minorities whom we are aiding in their attempt to achieve equal rights and opportunities.”

Fr. Shannon continues: “We have to avoid the desire to control, to want to solve their needs in our way — which really means doing violence to them. Unless we avoid all forms of paternalism or any attitudes of patronizing, we are, whether we realize it or not, seeking to act as their “keeper.”

Sounding sincerely humble, Father Shannon pleads: “May I say that there is a bit of Cain in all of us. It is so easy to run people’s lives.”

Now here are statements which are easily applicable to our situation in the Philippines.

“Murder is the ultimate expression of that desire to run people’s lives or they will have to pay the consequences. And on a more extensive scale, war is an expression of the same desire. It is a nation playing the role of Cain and, like him, usurping the right of God. All too often our country, protecting multinational interests, has played the role of Cain to the nations of the Third World.”