The LA ICE Riots and Veterans: An American Cain and Abel Story
There are two images from this past weekend that have stayed in my head and settled in my heart. Pictures that say everything about the present state of affairs in America and the timelessness of the human condition. Modern day illustrations of the Cain and Abel story reenacted in the city of angels without the need for Hollywood.
The spirit of Cain casting itself in the news cycle while Los Angeles is devastated by violent riots. Another once great American city in a death spiral of self-destruction and chaos. Its political leadership feigning righteousness and empathy when it’s really about selfishness and apathy.
The expected outcome when public policy isn’t centered on an ethic of love for those who you serve. Its political leadership, like elsewhere, failing its constituents. Heartbreaking homelessness, devastating drug usage, increasing income inequality, unaccountable violence and an inability to provide basic public services. Police protection, fire prevention, educational excellence, and sustainable social services.
Unfortunately, Los Angeles is just another example of another American city that has descended into anarchy. A worldview that worships chaos and nihilism. Creation and order are replaced by de-creation and disorder as in the beginning. When the world was unformed, desolate and in darkness. Love created order out of chaos because life cannot exist let alone flourish in chaos.
These urban images of violence, larceny, arson and the waving of foreign flags seem even more surreal to me after visiting the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. My recent trip to Chicago allowing me the opportunity to visit my family and my father’s final resting place. Both my parents sacrificing two years of their lives as a newly married couple to serve their country.
My father and mother leaving their families behind to move to Fort Benning in Georgia. A far cry from their Midwest surroundings. Living proof of not asking what their country can do for them, but what they could do for their country.
My father’s columbarium* lined with the ashes of those who served their country. Their names, branch of service and time in this world etched into granite. My family’s love for our father forever etched on our hearts.
Rows and rows of these structures planted on this fertile Midwest landscape. Fields of green grass giving way to rows and rows of uniform headstones marking the final resting place for those who are buried. Veterans from WWII interned with those who served in the Persian Gulf. The scars and trauma of war still taking the lives of those who returned from the battle front.
The spirit of Abel soaking the soil. Men and women who reverently supported their country. Believing in their selfless service to their fellow citizens. Believing that they were making a difference in the world. Believing in a nation ruled by law and order. Believing in the American Dream of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all citizens.
This ancient sibling rivalry is very much alive within this culture and within each of us. Every day and every moment is about making choices to either honor God or honor ourselves. Resisting the lure of doing what we want as opposed to what God wants for us which is always about love. God is love.
Abel obeyed God; Cain disobeyed God. Choosing to do what he wanted even as God warned him about controlling his emotions of envy. Choosing to do what he felt would make him feel better even if it meant murdering his own brother, lying to God and causing incredible pain for his parents who would lose both sons by the end of the story.
When we act out of violence towards other people and our community it’s never about justice or compassion. A truth that Gandhi knew, Martin Luther King Jr knew, and Jesus Christ knew. Justice and compassion only happen when we love God and love our neighbor.
Unlike Cain, Abel already knew that he was his brother’s keeper. Unlike Cain, Abel knew God only wants the best for us. Unlike Cain, Abel knew that jealousy, anger and selfishness is never about love, only about our own self destruction.
My parents, like all veteran families, honorably served their nation and community. Defending law and order because that’s how civilized societies thrive. Defending the freedoms of others to disagree and criticize our government without the need for violence. Defending a world view of love that’s in service to others, not just ourselves.
Peace. God loves you.
* (a structure designed to house the cremated remains)