SIN OF OMISSION

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus is exclusive to Luke ( 16: 19-31). It highlights the true Christian way of life. It includes contemplation, communion and mission. We are called to contemplation in our prayer and worship, to communion by loving one another and to mission by witnessing the love of God in the world. The opposite of Christian life includes blindness, indifference, paralysis and death highlighted in the parable. A parable is a short, fictitious narrative designed to illuminate Spiritual truths, usually with unexpected twist. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus highlights the sin of omission. It makes two important points. The first has to do with the reversal of fortunes of this life in the hereafter. The second is that even the return of a messenger from the dead will not bring about reform among those who are selfish, self centered and greedy. The parable is a wake up call, a warning and a call to conversion. There is an accounting and divine judgment at the end. Riches and freedom mean great responsibility and obligation to work for the common good. The parable presents contrasts between the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man is nameless because he could be anyone of us. The poor man is named Lazarus which means God helps. Lazarus is forgotten by men but remembered by God. The rich man is dressed in purple garments and fine linen while Lazarus is covered with sores. The only creatures that notice him are dogs who lick his sores. How many Lazarus today who suffer and die of intense deprivation and misery because of our indifference, insensitivity, greediness and self absorption? The rich man is brought to the place of torment while Lazarus is carried away by the angels to the bosom of Abraham. The place of torment refers to the irrevocable separation from God. It is that abyss we dig for ourselves, day by day, when we close our hearts to love. It is that gulf we create through our thousand refusals and delays. When we postpone compassion, the distance grows deeper. The parable therefore calls us to be responsible and faithful stewards of creation, to have the same mind and heart of Jesus and to be our brother/sister’s keeper.