THE SIN OF OMISSION AGAINST CHARITY
The main theme of this Sunday´s readings is the warning of the sin of omission against charity. It is a warning that the selfish blindness to the needy and extravagant use of God’s blessings. A reminder that our wealth, time, energy, talents and personal qualities like words, smiles, and sense of humour are to help the poor, the depressed, the troubled, and the needy. The act of omission is a serious sin that deserves eternal punishment. Today’s readings stress the truth that wealth without active mercy for the poor is great wickedness.
OUR THEME
The central theme of this Sunday is Charity. According to St. Paul, out of the three theological virtues: faith, hope and charity, charity is the greatest of them. This is because it is the only way to show our faith in action. That is, putting God’s commandment to love as Christ has loved us.
The readings of this Sunday are a continuation of the last two Sundays about money and wealth. It is good to remain affirmative, that money or wealth is not evil or wrong in themselves. Of course, we all need money and we all have things valuable to us: wealth.
Yet, the means to getting them or the use of them could be the root of evil, strives and conflicts in our world. At the same time, the omission not to use them well or not at all could have even greater consequences.
Hence, God calls us to examine our attitude towards material goods and the poor or needy. If the Christian does not share his possessions with those in need, he is not a true Christian. The readings of today are prettily harsh when they speak of the fate of the rich and the poor.
FIRST READING: AMOS 6: 1, 4-7
Amos, in the first reading, issues a powerful warning to those who seek wealth at the expense of the poor and who spend their time and money on themselves alone. He prophesies that God will punish those rich and complacent people with exile because they do not care about the poor, the needy and the suffering.
In other words, Prophet Amos, the outspoken advocate of social justice out rightly condemned the rich class of Israel for their lack of sensitivity to the poor. They lived feasting extravagantly and magnificently in their world of self-sufficiency, while they maintained a great deal of indifference, selfishness, lack of discipline or moderation and disobedience to God’s word to take care of the poor and needy.
SECOND READING: 1TIMOTHY 6: 11-16
In the second reading, Paul exhorts us to “pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience and gentleness”, noble qualities of faith and Christian life in this age of disillusionment when many Christians are out for money, pleasure and easy life that move them away from God. A good Christian life is seeking out first the kingdom of God and its righteousness and then helping the poor and needy.
Thus, St. Paul invited Timothy to self-donation or self-emptying like Christ who gave up all to save us to eternal life. As genuine Christians, we should live in righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness fighting a good fight unto eternity. 1Tim. 6:11-16
THE GOSPEL: LUKE 16: 19-31
In today’s Gospel Luke 16: 19-3, Jesus warns us like the prophet Amos in the first reading. He points out the fate of the rich man who neglected his duty to show mercy or charity to Lazarus: a poor, sick, lonely and dying man.
Jesus in the gospel demonstrated further and more concretely this deep sense of indifferences amidst abundance and plenty in the story of Dives and Lazarus. The rich man did not merit hell or deprivation for being rich or enjoying his wealth hedonistically.
It was his failure to notice lack, need or want around him, his omission not to do something to improve the lives of those around him, his insensitivity and indifference to the vulnerable persons or the lack of trust to be dependent on God and let go of the sense of insecurity to hoard or self-sufficiency not to be generous.
LESSON OF LIFE
1. The rich man’s name is Dives which means one who is endowed with blessings, talents or riches. While Lazarus means the one whom God helps. Our wealth is to help the poor.
2. Davis is a figure of indolent self-indulgence, selfish and insensitive individual. A figure of the modern capitalistic, hedonistic and bourgeoisie man and human society.
3. Lazarus a beggar, famished man covered with ulcerated sores was a helpless figure of the abandoned poor and needy among us today.
4. Wealth and riches are not signs of godliness or blessings from God nor are poverty and hardship signs of sinfulness and punishment from God.
5. The rich man was punished, not for having wealth, but for neglecting the Scriptures and what they taught about sharing our time, talents, and treasures with the poor and needy.
6. Being blind, not physical blindness to the needy around you could be our greatest sin of omission. It is important to note that the rich did not harm or hurt Lazarus. He was in the position to do something for Lazarus but he did notice or care.
7. Sins are not just actions, words, and thoughts. The greatest sins of our age are omission and indifference to the plights of the needy around us. The sin of the rich man towards Lazarus is one of omission and indifference to his needs as a person.
8. We are challenged by the gospel to have love, empathy and compassion for those in need: the poor. This is what God expects of us. Mt.25:31ff. Charity is all God expects of us.
9. Death is a reality which faced us. Whether you are the richest or poorest person, you will die. It is the equalizer to the imbalance of life.
10. The stewardship of the gifts, time, talents and treasure which God give us is to be at the service of others. What do we do with our time, talents or treasure to build up the kingdom of God? How have you loved your neighbour?
11. The parable invites us to share what we have with others in various ways we can instead of using everything exclusively for selfish gain.
12. We are reminded that our ability to share is the criterion of the Last Judgment: Matthew (25: 31ff) tells us that Jesus will ask every one of us six questions about how we have shared our blessings of him (food, drinks, clothes, home, mercy and compassion), in our brothers and sisters who are in need.
13. 4. Our choices here on earth determine the type of eternity we will have at the end of our earthly life. The way we choose to live, love, treat or not live or love or treat others is how we will be repaid in this life and for eternity.
14. This week, we are encouraged to take this evangelical passage of Lazarus and the rich man seriously to heart and as we pray and reflect on it: is there any way to help the poor and needy among us this week or regularly?
15. There is no repentance in the grave through extraordinary ways more than listening to the Word of God to guide and lead us. The grace of salvation is a lifetime opportunity.
16. There is no crossing at will from hell to heaven or vis versa. Therefore, it is unwise to entertain any sort of wishful thought that regret in hell could result in repentance to cross to God’s kingdom.
The reality of today’s readings does not imply to the wealthy or politicians alone, but also to us all as an individual or as a community how we interpret the social implications of the gospel in our lives and different circumstances of life.
Even as Church, what is our percentage of commitment to the poor and social justice? Is it only on paper and preaching? Or ostentatious living with private jets, the latest model of cars, or living large in the name of good ministry? Do we religious justify living on the poor under false charity or pretence?
OUR PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, true faith and religion are in our charitable concern for others around us. The sin of indifference and selfish living is the omission of all. Lord may we not only practice the Christian life and virtues by being more receptive and sensitive to the poor and needy. But also help us with your grace and mercy to be truly helpers to our brothers and sisters in need. Amen
One Comment