ERNIE E. MAIPID, JR.
It was December 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, three years ago. I was 63, turning 64 in a few days, and, even at that senior age, I was about to encounter a ‘great understanding.’ The priest was explaining in his homily what happened after ‘The Fall’ in Genesis. He recounted that our first parents hid from God after eating the forbidden fruit. On encountering God, who admonished them for their actions, Adam pointed to Eve. Eve, in turn, pointed to the serpent.
‘Great understanding’
This ‘great understanding’ came! The priest started talking about ‘taking responsibility’. Adam had blamed Eve. Eve blamed the serpent. No one wanted to take responsibility. AND, THE WHOLE WORLD SUFFERED FOR THAT! I must admit, I never fully understood the Genesis story that way. I remember that significant day as a day of ‘great understanding’ for me!
For many months now, the coronavirus has caused much anxiety and uncertainty. Everyone has been hoping for the situation to be normalized. It has awakened me to this act of human benevolence – of ‘taking responsibility’ for the other. At no other time has the phrase, ‘Brother’s Keeper’ taken prime focus and relevance to me as NOW!
‘Great responsibility’
To ‘save ourselves,’ we are asked to be mindful of ‘saving others’ too! This is the ‘Great Responsibility’ staring at our faces today. This is our challenge! We cannot afford to be reckless in any way. Lives are at stake! First, the LIVES of our loved ones are most at peril. We cannot take total blame should any tragedy happens. Yet, it seems that ‘being responsible’ is the only response to take without any doubt or hesitation.
I see the need to assume responsibility for our own personal health, physical wellness, and hygiene. Of prime importance is our honesty, maturity, and consideration for the welfare of all. Our actions must correspond to the good of others. We take our responsibility, SERIOUSLY!
We are our BROTHER’S KEEPER!
The old song reverberates: ‘No man is an island. No man stands alone. Each man’s joy is a joy to me. Each man’s grief is my own – each man as my brother…as my friend.
