no duplicity

1 John 3:11-21; Ps 100 Let all the earth cry out to God with Joy; John 1:43-51

Many of us remember the story of Cain and Abel. Many of us live that story out in our own relationships with our siblings:fighting, bickering, jealousy and all the rest.

We all remember how the story ends. Cain kills Abel. In fact if you go back to the book of Genesis and reread the story you discover that it seem to all start over worship. Abel's sacrifice was accepted and Cain's sacrifice was denied.

THere never is a clear reason as to why the sacrifice of Cain was not received by God. In fact, this lack of clarity causes many to question God's motives.

They both on the outside seem to do what God asked, Abel with sheep and Cain with produce.

In today's first reading we are invited to revisited the story. John in is letter recounts the story but gives us a bit of insight into the why behind the rejecting of Cain.

John tells us, "We should love one another, unlike Cain who belonged to the evil One and slaughtered his brother. Why did he slaughter his brother? Because his own works were evil, and those of his brother righteous."

There are two components of every act: the external what we see and the internal what lies hidden out of sight.

On the outside, Cain and ABel seem to be equal but it was the internal reality that revealed Cain's true character.

What is on the inside matters most. I think Jesus points this out time and time again.

In fact look to the gospel.

Jesus comments about Nathanael, "Here is a true child of Israel. THere is no duplicity in him."

Duplicity?

definition: contradictory doubleness of thought, speech, or action; especially : the belying of one's true intentions by deceptive words or action


The bottom line is this: duplicity is bearing false witness to your neighbor. It is lying. There isn o room for this in the life of holiness. IS this not what we are aiming at.

Cain was duplicitous. So was Judas.
What about us?

How often do we find our selves betraying our true intentions by our external acts. How often do we pretend?

THis new Year try to eliminate duplicity: let your faith in Christ purify your motivations and intentions.

YOU shall not bear false witness to your neighbor.
This is why John tells us in the today's first reading, "we should love one another." There is no room for lying in loving.

John tells us, "If our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence in God."

What's on the inside!