We have heard of bishops "protecting" pedophiles, school management protecting the pedophile coach and trainor, wives not reporting abusive husbands. Fraternity brothers would not tell on the crimes of his brods. There are families who would help family member accused of crime to escape into another country.
It is difficult when the grave sins are within our circle of family whether it be biological family, religious family, or workplace that had become like family to us. Self-denial sets in even when there are indications to the reality of the situation. Even when words get around outside the circle, there is always disbelief. Even when convinced with the reality, there is always wishful thinking that things will be resolved within the circle. No matter what, we tend to be protective of our circle of biological, spiritual, and emotional kinship.
Those outside the circle can easily condemn those within the circle as negligent, complicit, or harboring a criminal. They should have done this and that. The reality is, if anyone would be in their position, they would have reacted/ responded the same way.
It is not an excuseable reaction but it is expected. Often, things have to take a worst turn before someone within the circle do something. But how must we handle it?
Even good people will find within their circle of affinity someone who is erring gravely - drug involvement, smuggling, sexual abuse, physical abuse, homicide, estafa, adultery, corruption or other degrees of legal impediments. Thus, we ask, am I my brother's keeper? How? And how far?
We can examine our responses thru the story of Cain and Abel. We may not be Cain who had killed, but there could be Cains and Abels in our circle. Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" And he said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" (Genesis 4:9 NASB)
"Where?" is a difficult question. It isn't just a question of location; It also asked of the state of life of the person. It asked beyond the externals but also what is happening within that person. Where is Abel your brother? The degree of affinity is also stated in the question.
There may be moments in our lives when the Lord had actually been asking us. Where is Abby's child in the womb? Where is Abby now? Where is the altar boy? Where is the youth leader? Where is your mother? Where is your child? Where is your brother?
The paradoxical thing about it is this goes beyond the "well, it's between him/her and God". Certainly God knows where and what is happening to others, but in asking us about others, God is awakening us to our responsibility towards others. And within our circle, there may be someone God is asking us, "where". How can we honestly answer it? Have I been totally indifferent to the plight of another? Have I extended the help I could have given? Have I caused others to sin?
