Dear following reader: Thanks so much for your loyal interest. (I love to write to you).

This post is a first of its kind. I’m not a priest, but, I do have learned from very good ones as many of you.

Today’s post is a simple teaching that I need to share with you, because, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to be a person who is “there for others”.

What does it mean to be your brother’s keeper? Mary, God’s mother teaches many things about this. She witnessed and experienced suffering unlike any mortal and she became divine. And, through devotion to her, salvation is brought closer to us never to depart from reach.

Why are nuances in biblical teaching, paramount to understanding The message of brotherhood and sisterhood? Christ confused many of us (so we have claimed), with parables that seemed to contradict teachings. Christians are called to give up everything we have to follow Him. Other times, we’re told to be good stewards of what we own, and to thank God for the blessing. But, no, He never contradicted Himself if we take teaching at deeper level than literal words. He speaks of charity, but, also tells us to close our doors from danger lest we languish in stupidity. So, which is it? Which are we to do? He tells us not to go to either extreme. That’s the short answer.

I’d like you to think about what a “keeper” is. In context, we might think first about a gate-keeper or a prison warden. Certainly, that can instigate a negative connotation, which is expressed by actions of suspicious surveillance and confinement; torture behind locked doors and within walls! How can that be what Christ meant by “being our brother’s keeper”. That’s not what He meant! Now, of course we can say that even in that example, Christ is with the prisoner and a brother is someone looking out for the prisoner – genuinely trying to set him on the right path through reform. Well, that is true, and benevolence can be expressed through initial punishment (discipline) followed by reward, positive reinforcement, and love. But, this is a very difficult and resource intensive endeavor. Moreover, often is not corrective in modern societies, throughout many countries. In truth, it is not the punishment in prisons that might set a criminal right. No, instead, it’s devotion to Mary and the redemptive teachings of the Gospel. It is doubtful in that punishment, that it is what God desires for His beloved who receive The Word no matter where it will penetrate.

Let’s step away from this extreme example however (as nuance is very important in grasping Christ’s teachings always).

Many of us are familiar with the concept of looking out for our brother – it’s a natural inclination, usually. It’s the basic and enduring “golden rule”. Major religions embrace this concept – leaving room for interfaith cooperation. To do unto others, as you would have them do unto you. But, is it always in service? Or is the act of receiving service, also a form of giving back and graciously accepting?
Being his “keeper”. What does this mean exactly?

1. Does it mean, to watch your brother’s activities so closely as to await and anticipate him stumbling? Does it mean we should ignore him until he is so desperately needing your help only because you’ve broken his dignity and pride?
2. Does it mean, to leave your brother in solitude faithfully – to do as he chooses to, in the spirits of trust and freedom?
3. Does it mean, to offer assistance to your brother for every situation that may arise? Waiting with great hope that we can ourselves be like Simon, who helped Christ carry His huge cross?
4. Does it mean, to safe-guard your brother from every potential danger out there using armed forces – and removing all senses and abilities regarding threat assessment and personal vigilance? Or, is our guardian angel not requiring any additional mortal help?

The answers are many. And, selfishness can work its way into all of these. I’ve been giving some thought lately, to what Jesus Christ teaches us about fraternity.

Fraternity, essentially, is learning how to be a good “keeper”. Christ was and always will be The supreme leader of His fraternal organization. He so desperately wants to recline with us. He wants to impart ever greater teachings of wisdom and reward with indulgence.

Fraternity can be practiced within a club or do-good organization. But, it can also be practiced through all modern and traditional forms of communication. Methods can be performed in concert and they are.

I recently observed a line of geese flying near dusk hour toward Canada. Isn’t it a marvel, how well they all fly in a chevron formation? They do not cut each other off, weaving in and out of lanes, crashing into one another. They do not speed past others to get there first, nor fly too slowly and causing danger to the group. They care about each other. They work together. They don’t seek to outperform one another.

The important thing to learn is this: to be kind towards fellow men, fellow women, children, pets. You do not have to be one to donate millions of dollars to a worthy cause – though that is also praiseworthy.

Christ taught us to do what we can… and not to hate ourselves into doing more, while gritting our teeth resentfully.

What is the spirit exactly of being a “keeper”. Have I answered?

Does it mean cooking meals for him or her; and allowing him or her to kick up his feet to relax in your presence? It can be exactly that.

Does it mean, building him a home? giving him services? washing his feet? washing his clothes? binding his or her wounds? healing his or her disease? or giving him or her a gift?

With so many varied interpretations of what it means to “keep” one’s brother – don’t let a single concept limit your giving. Think of the volume with which to exercise that. Should we be nosy or medelsome in order to discover or speculate about what another might need? Is that was God wants us to do? No, I don’t think that He does.

We need to be able to recognize what the needs of our brother are. They are varied… large and small. And if we ask them, they usually tell us, as they know best.

Need is not a one-size-fits-all phenomena, though we all do have common interests and basic lowest common denominator needs to survive. As a community, it is praiseworthy to build homes for the poor. But, we should not look down at others who give less on individual basis. He that has little, but even manages to give something, is a hero to Christ.

All of us have lack in one regard, and wealth in other regards. And our needs change over our lifetime. Sometimes certain needs spike, while other needs are satisfied. I think of the Alanis Morissette song “one hand in my pocket”. Where is the other hand? (The lyricist clearly asks us to think about that). We’re to understand that only in Heaven will we have everything.

We’re not to help someone only so that we can feel good about ourselves. Rather, we should individually and quietly become aware of the person who needs something that we can and desire to give. Some of our hearts are colder than others. We’re not all set out to be extremely generous in all ways all at once. But, we all have something to give someone else – every day – even if just a smile.

Sometimes, the person who lacks spiritual experience, needs your “keeping”. Sometimes, we need to point a friend to the right place.

To be Christian, is not to be confused about how to set another on the right path. It is to see where that which expresses need, is given.

Point all persons to the supreme example of suffering, to be redeemed through the suffering. It is to praise those who are suffering; rather than to judge them as being hopelessly defeated.

It’s helpful to accept also the fact, that life is not yet paradise.

So, go easy on ourselves. We are to be our brother’s keeper, and we’re also keeping ourselves in check. Because, by seeing the need of another, we begin to learn to be like Simon. And, that is what Christ wants and expects of us. There are many persons, each of us have days where we fall short of helping another to find the path. Sometimes we’re a little bit too focused on our own thoughts and little world. We’re not saviors. But, the teaching, is to watch for brothers who are looking for Simon. And, if your cross is already heavy enough… to point him or her toward another Simon. There are many Simons in our world. Don’t give up hoping for him or her to help; wherever he or she is. But, don’t forget to embrace and live the words of Luke 14:27.