Cain's Question

Cain's question, "Am I my brother's keeper?" (Gn 4:9), has global implications and is a special challenge for our time, touching not one brother but all oursisters and brothers.

• Are we keepers of the creations for future generations?
  
• Are we responsible for the fate of the world's poor?
  
• Do we have duties to suffering people here at home?
  
  
• Must we respond to the needs of the suffering in distant nations?
  

For the followers of Jesus, the answer is yes. Indeed, we are our brothers' and sisters' keepers. As members of God's one human family, we must acknowledge our duties and we must accept God's charge to care for all human life and for all creation.