Indifference

And at his (the rich man’s) gate lay a poor man named Lazarus covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores” (Luke 16:20-21).

            Some time ago, I was talking with someone about the poor. “While they have to suffer on earth”, he stated “the poor will gain their place in heaven. They are so lucky to have God on their side and not be tempted by wealth”, he added. Yet, when I asked what he was doing to ease their suffering, the man sounded indifferent. “Government programs take care of them and our Church does the rest, he replied. Clearly, this man saw caring for the poor as someone else’s problem.

            In this passage from Luke, Jesus tells the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus to some Pharisees and warns them earthly wealth was not a sign of Divine favor. By doing so, he also cautions them about the dangers of indifference to the poor.

            The Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament presented an ambiguous attitude towards the poor. On the one hand, the Jewish Law made specific provisions for their care. After the first harvest of a grainfield or vineyard, crops not collected remained for the benefit of the poor. In addition, it reminded the wealthy how God heard the cries of the poor. Yet, other sections drew a connection between material success and Spiritual fidelity. Those who followed the Jewish Law were just in the sight of God and received Divine Blessings in this life. Some texts contrasted the conditions under which the Righteous and Unrighteous lived. From such passages, many concluded poverty was a punishment inflicted on certain individuals for sins unknown to people but known to God. Any intervention which reduced the suffering caused by poverty interfered with this punishment.

Indifference towards the situation was the proper response. This principle was popular among the rich because it justified their position and associated earthly wealth with Righteousness. Through his Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, Jesus contested this belief. The Pharisees, who thought service of God and wealth was possible, read Scripture selectively. As Abraham made clear, the Law and Prophets repeatedly indicated God’s concern for the poor and the responsibilities of the Jewish people towards them. While the rich man never cheated or robbed Lazarus, it was his lack of concern about the suffering caused by poverty which led to his punishment. No extraordinary Revelation from someone sent back from the dead was necessary. Indifference to the poor meant indifference towards God.

            Within our Society indifference towards the poor and suffering is justified in a number of ways. Some people will claim the problem of poverty is the fault of the poor. They need to work harder so they can earn their way out of poverty. What is forgotten is that individuals working 40 hours a week at the minimum wage rarely earn enough to pay for the basic necessities of life. It is for this reason so many people use Food Banks and Soup Kitchens. Other individuals will say the problem of food insecurity is too large to be solved. This provides them with the excuse that therefore nothing can be done to address it. A third group of people will claim a new government program needs to be created to address the issue. This then absolves them of taking any personal responsibility for reducing poverty like helping with the St. Vincent DePaul Society or donating money to a Homeless Shelter. It is also likely they will grumble when their taxes are increased to fund the program. Catholics and other people of Faith frequently encounter these attitudes which promote indifference towards the poor. Yet, their Faith calls them to respond in a different way. The poor are members of the Family of God. Some may not have a strong Work Ethic or may try to take advantage of the generosity of others but Catholics are still obligated to help them. These faults do not change the fact they are made in the image and likeness of God. Each person needs the basic necessities of life (food, clothing, shelter, health care and education) to live in the way God intended. These requirements are met by using the goods of the earth which were provided by God and it is to him that people will be held accountable for how they were used. In addition, Justice requires the creation of a system in which all individuals are able to obtain for themselves these necessities through Economic activity which respects their dignity.

            While the poor do have God on their side and may gain their place in Heaven they must also be a special concern to Christ’s Disciples while they are on earth. Indifference towards them and their legitimate needs is not an option for Catholics.

September 25, 2022