Do you Sin by Omission?

      One of the previous gospels was from Luke 16: 19-31. In this gospel, we are presented with two individuals whose fortunes are radically different. First, we have the unnamed rich man who dresses and dines lavishly. Next, we have the beggar, Lazarus, whose name means God has helped, a man who is barely surviving. He is homeless, poor, and very sick.

          Interestingly, the rich man is not accused of anything because he does not appear to have committed any act that warrants criminal action. Keep in mind that, in the time of Jesus, wealth was considered a blessing from God. The concept of the self-made man simply did not exist. However, what the rich man can be accused of, from a moral not a legal standpoint, is indifference. This wealthy man ignores the presence of the pitiful Lazarus who lies outside the door of his house. Shockingly, that affluent man takes no notice of the dogs licking Lazarus’ sores while he waits to get the scraps that fall from the rich man’s table.

         Then we are presented with a dramatic change in circumstances. When Lazarus dies, he is taken to “Abraham's bosom” to await his reward for the evils he had suffered. Conversely, when the rich man dies, he is taken to Hades where he is destined for punishment and torment.

         The message is clear. Not overtly and purposefully harming anyone is not enough. As human beings, we must worry about others. We must attend to those around us who may be in extreme need. We cannot look the other way because—to be sure—we can sin by omission.

         We cannot display dehumanization towards those who need it most. We cannot call them aliens and intruders. We cannot intentionally keep them at a distance even though they live practically at the doors of our houses. Even if we have achieved a great deal in this life, our lives will be incomplete. After all, isolating ourselves on our “island” of life, surrounded by so many creature comforts—consuming what we want when we want to the point of excess and perhaps even as the actual cause of others lacking what is necessary—is definitely not what God wants. Likewise, pretending not to know the dire situation of others is no excuse. Purposeful ignorance is not a tenable or tolerable mindset.

         Of course, we should not think that God will retaliate against those who enjoy better circumstances in life. That would be the act of a dictator, not that of our loving Heavenly Father! But we do have the responsibility to look beyond ourselves and to discover the needs of others.

         Indeed, it is incumbent on us to ask ourselves: Are our eyes open to the needs of others or, instead, do we turn a deaf ear to the cries of the needy? Are we so stubborn and stuck in our ways that even if “someone should rise from the dead” we would not be persuaded? Are we capable of putting God at the center of our lives? Difficult questions. . .yet, each of us knows the proper response.

Fr. Jesus