Cain and Abel were the first children of Adam and Eve. Cain grew up to be a farmer, Abel became a shepherd. Cain was envious and cruel; Abel was loving and kind.Cain and Abel were the first children of Adam and Eve. Cain grew up to be a farmer, Abel became a shepherd. Cain was envious and cruel; Abel was loving and kind.
One day, Cain and Abel both offered gifts to God. Cain offered some fruit and grain that he had raised. Abel brought some little lambs from his flock.
God looked into the heart of Cain and saw that it was full of wickedness. He therefore refused Cain's gift.
But when God looked in the heart of Abel. He saw it filled with goodness. He therefore accepted Abel's gift with pleasure.
This made Cain more jealous than ever. He made up his mind to kill Abel.
Some time later. Cain asked Abe! to go with him into the fields. When they had walked some distance. and there were no other people near. Cain struck down his brother Abel and killed him.
God saw everything that Cain had done. He asked Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?"
Cain tried to hide his sin from God.
He answered, "I know not. Am I my brother's keeper?"
God rebuked him. saying. "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me. Cursed shall you be upon the earth that has received your brother's blood. When you plow it, it shall not yield to you its fruit. You shall be a wanderer and a vagabond upon the earth."
Hearing how he was to be punished. Cain cried out in despair, "My sin is too great to be pardoned! I must hide myself from Your face. Everyone that finds me will kill me."
But God answered, "No, it shall not be so. Whoever kills Cain shall be punished seven-fold."
And God set a mark upon Cain as a sign. so that no one should kill him. Cain went forth to wander over the earth. and to suffer for his sin. His children also suffered for their father's sins.
We should not be like Cain who tried to hide his sins from God. If we fall into sin, we should at once be sorry for our sin, go to Confession, and resolve never to sin any more.
- from My Bible History in Pictures, by Bishop Louis LaRavoire Morrow, D.D., 1934; it has the Imprimatur of Archbishop Michael J O'Doherty of Manila, Philippines