By Chris D’Souza –
But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. Lk 16:25
Have you caught yourself saying ‘Well, I need to earn a bit more to be able to help this cause or this person? Honestly, I have.
Pope Francis has a beautiful response to this excuse. He says ‘ The promise was that when the glass was full, it would overflow, benefitting the poor. But what happens instead, is that when the glass is full, it magically gets bigger – nothing ever comes out for the poor!”
In the Gospel story of the rich man and Lazarus, the aspect of indifference to the poor is powerfully emphasized. We have many choices before us – to help them, not help them, ignore them or treat them badly, maybe. Which do we choose?
Jesus gives us the clearest possible response in his parable to the Pharisees. It’s there in black and white – the fate we can expect for not doing the right thing. So is it the fear of hell that ought to make us move forward to help someone? Or let the Holy Spirit lead us into recognizing the needs of others and stepping out whenever and wherever we see a situation?
Indifference is not just withholding the sharing of material blessings from others.. Mother Teresa reminds us “The greatest disease in the West today is not TB or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for. We can cure physical diseases with medicine, but the only cure for loneliness, despair, and hopelessness is love. There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread but there are many more dying for a little love. The poverty in the West is a different kind of poverty — it is not only poverty of loneliness but also of spirituality. There’s a hunger for love, as there is a hunger for God.”
Can I help someone feel less unloved today?
Much of our so called socio-economic policy and structures are geared in favour of the rich become richer and widening the gap with the poor. Do we stand up and protest when we see this injustice?
Reflect: What can I share to make someone’s life more blessed today? Does the fact that I am blessed with much motivate me to share with those who do not have the same?
Chris D’Souza is Director at Lead Strategic Development Pvt Ltd. which is affiliated to Lead International. He can be reached at: [email protected]