The Book of Sirach makes a graphic comparison: “When a rich man stumbles, he is supported by a friend; when a poor man trips, he is pushed by a friend. Many are the supporters for the rich man when he speaks; though what he says is odious, it wins approval. When a poor man speaks, they make sport of him; he speaks wisely, and no attention is paid him” (Sir 13:20-21). Such an attitude naturally makes it easy for people to ignore and despise the poor. Sin of omission is not just a matter of simple negligence or oversight. It is a very serious sin because it is rooted in selfishness and wanton disregard for others. It is caused by one’s unwillingness to get out of his comfort zone, and the desire to remain undisturbed in his peaceful and comfortable little world. But what these selfish people do not realize is that, as long as there are hungry and angry people around, their own little cozy world is in constant danger of crumbling down at any time. When poverty and injustice abound, chaos and bloodshed are not far behind. The theme of the parable this Sunday bears a striking similarity with that of the Last Judgment in Matthew 25. In both accounts, the condemnation is not based on the wrong done, but on the good deed not done; not on the sins of commission, but on the sins of omission: “I was hungry, and you did not give me food; I was thirsty and you did not give me drink; I was naked, you did not clothe me; imprisoned and sick, but you did not visit me.”
Posted on: Mon, 30 Sep 2013 03:09:13 +0000
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