Cain and Abel

We are told that Cain and Abel both presented God with a sacrifice. Abel provided the very best of what he had, “the first of the flock.” He gave God right worship.

Cain presented God with an unacceptable offering of the “fruit of the ground.” It seems Cain picked the unsatisfactory fruit off the ground and offered that to God instead of picking the very best from the tree. God sees Cain’s offering is not good and warns him to do better. Cain rejects this fatherly correction and instead blames God for favoring Abel. We know his anger got the best of him and he committed murder.

The story of Cain and Abel reminds us that worship is to involve the very best, the first of our flock. In our daily life, that includes our attentiveness in prayer and Mass; making time for prayer in the day; prioritizing our tithing; and even doing the best at our daily tasks as we offer them to God.

From the Catechism

2135 “You shall worship the Lord your God” (Mt 4:10). Adoring God, praying to him, offering him the worship that belongs to him, fulfilling the promises and vows made to him are acts of the virtue of religion which fall under obedience to the first commandment.

 

Worship in the Beginning

Worship is a theme woven throughout the Bible on nearly every page. One might ask the question about whether each person we encounter is giving right worship to God, or incorrect worship. The answer to that question will give us the answer if this person will be blessed or not. 

Take, Adam and Eve for example. They were given the beautiful world, placed in the beautiful garden and given the command to “till” and “keep”.  These words might sound like they were charged to be mere gardeners, but within much of the symbolic language found in the first chapters of Genesis, ancient readers would have understood that Adam was charged with priestly, religious service. Later as they described what the Israelite priests were to do as they were in the tabernacle we likewise see this pair of words together: “till and keep.” 

And they shall keep (same Hebrew word as in Genesis 2:10)  his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do (same Hebrew word for “till” in Genesis 2:10)the service of the tabernacle.T

Numbers 3:7, 8

The words “till” and “keep” especially when used together meant for the ancient readers obedience and worship.

Adam and Eve did not rightly worship God as we all well know. Instead of following God, they followed the temptation of the devil and acted contrary to God’s will. 

Shortly after their expulsion from the Garden, a place which was supposed to be a sanctuary where man could walk with God in the cool of the day, we will see how their sons Cain and Abel demonstrate good worship and unacceptable worship.

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

347  Creation was fashioned with a view to the sabbath and therefore for the worship and adoration of God. Worship is inscribed in the order of creation. As the rule of St. Benedict says, nothing should take precedence over “the work of God”, that is, solemn worship. This indicates the right order of human concerns.

Gearing Up!

Hi Friends! Next month is the official beginning of the National Bible Bee! We will be receiving our study guides in the mail or emailed if you chose the PDF option right before the beginning date of June 3rd.

This program is non-denominational, but we are Catholic. As we prepare to study the program, I wanted to make sure our families have the most inclusive, Catholic way of preparing for this year’s theme which is Worship.

Each day, starting tomorrow, I will post a very brief paragraph starting to lay a foundation of the role of worship in the Bible. This is not necessarily part of the program (I haven’t seen their materials yet either!) but having this solid biblical foundation in advance will certainly help us teach our children once the program gets underway.

How should you use these paragraphs? It’s up to you! You can read them to your children each day or you can just read them on your own. We will have weekly meetings to support each other, but you are the primary teacher and guide for your children in this Bible Bee program, so the more you know, the more you can help them.

I don’t want to pester you, but each day, I will send out an email to you that a new entry is published. If you want to pop open that email and read it, great! If not, that’s fine too. This is a resource for you to help you, not to burden you.

I look forward to this great study getting underway! Many blessings on your Easter Season!

-Kim