Behaviors of feeling shame are shared across cultures. They are learned, not innate. It is the price we are willing to pay for living together in the large tribe we call humans. It is a way of guaranteeing regulations, rules, and taboos.

Does this voice of conscience endure in time and space, or is it so different in the color that it loses its frightening appeal? 

What does it take to be a good person?

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” (1)

Albert Camus in his first novel, L’Étranger (1942), recount how Mersault, the narrator and protagonist of the novel slowly descends the path of alienation from society until he accepts his death sentence with open arms. 

“Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don’t know. I got a telegram from the home: -Mother deceased. Funeral tomorrow. Faithfully yours.- That doesn’t mean anything. Maybe it was yesterday.”

In Matthew, while Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, His mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him. Then one said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.”

So He answered: “Who is My mother and who are My brothers? (2)

Albert Camus’s story begins with the death of Mersault’s mother. 

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” (3)

Mersault sends his mother away to a nursing home, an action shared also by some fancy historians. The day after his mother’s funeral, Mersault becomes involved in an affair with some girl Marie. They swim together, have lunch, watch a comic film, and have sex. 

“While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.” (4)

Mersault also gets involved with Raymond Sintes, a pimp neighbor who beats his girl brutally. 

“Tax collectors and prostitutes will get to the Kingdom of heaven before you.” (5)

Mersault testifies in the proceedings saying that Raymond was provoked by the girl into the beating. 

“Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, -Sit here while I go over there and pray.-“

Mersault and Raymond walk on the beach and meet the brother of the beaten girlfriend. A fight happens, and Mersault kills the Arab brother. 

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus, and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out, and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. (6)

Mersault is arrested and imprisoned for the shooting. When the attorney tries to get Mersault to slant the truth about his reactions to his mother’s death, he refuses. When Mersault refuses to confess his guilt and beg forgiveness, the priest in the prison reacts with disbelief. The prosecutor claims that Meursault’s lack of grief over his mother’s death threatens the moral basis of society. 

Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.” And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. (6)

The magistrate thinks that Mersault is so hard-hearted that he must be an “antichrist.” Meursault is found guilty of premeditated murder and sentenced to death by guillotine.

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. (7)

In the end, however, Mersault approaches his death like he has lived all his life – with indifference.  

And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” (8)

“For everything to be consummated, for me to feel less alone, I had only to wish that there be a large crowd of spectators the day of my execution and that they greet me with cries of hate.” 

(1) Exodus 20:12

(2) Matthew 12:48

(3) Luke 14:26

(4) Matthew 21:32-33 

(5) Matthew 26:6-8

(6) Matthew 27:11

(7) Matthew 27:21

(8) Matthew 27:39