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Gospel Reflection for Monday, February 17, 2025
Dear Friend,
«Where is your brother?» This is the question the Lord asks Cain in today’s first reading.
At first, it might seem like a question that has nothing to do with us, but God’s Word calls us to break away from the individualism that is so present in our way of living. We forget that growth and inner happiness cannot happen without caring for and being concerned about others, because we do not exist without one another.
Going back to the initial question, in the story from Genesis, Cain responds to God: «I don’t know; am I my brother’s keeper?» Yes, you are your brother’s keeper. We must care more for them precisely because they are our brothers; the other person matters to you. Psalm 49, which we meditate on today, has strong words about this lack of brotherhood: «You sit and speak against your brother, you slander your own mother’s son. You do these things, and should I keep silent? Do you think I am like you? I will accuse you and lay the charge before you.»
Pope Francis, in his encyclical Fratelli Tutti, published five years ago, reminds us and calls us to take care of one another. In paragraph 8, he says: «Among all. I dream that in our time, by recognizing the dignity of every human person, we can bring about a worldwide desire for brotherhood. Among all—this is a beautiful secret for dreaming and making our lives a wonderful adventure. No one can face life in isolation. We need a community that supports us, that helps us, and in which we help one another to keep looking forward.»
It is a time to improve, to grow, to be freed, but always through others, never alone. This is the guiding thread of our preparation: to be-with. Our society already suffers from enough loneliness for us to add our own indifference, individualism, or selfishness. More than ever, we need to foster fraternity.
In today’s Gospel, they ask Jesus for a sign. They want to see His power, but they do not understand that His power is not dynamis, force or violence, but exousía, the power of liberation and healing, which He uses not to dominate, but to cure. That is why the Gospel tells us about Jesus’ reaction to their request for a display of strength: «He sighed deeply and walked away.» There is no sign, they have understood nothing.
The sign Jesus wants is the one He gives us: to give Himself completely until the end. That is why we must be attentive to see where our brother is, what he needs from us, and how we can help him. This will be a good time of personal growth that will bring us closer to God.
Your brother in faith,