Caring for those who are in need is the critical message of the Scriptures; both the Old Testament and the New Testament. This is really pointed out to us in the Gospel; every person has dignity regardless of their position in society, their position in the church or the amount of money the person possesses.
Vatican II teaches that out of respect for the human dignity of each person, we must help those who are experiencing any material or spiritual need: “Wishing to come down to topics that are practical and of some urgency, the Council lays stress on respect for the human person: everyone should look upon his neighbor (without any exception) as another self, bearing in mind above all his life and the means necessary for living it in a dignified way lest he follow the example of the rich man who ignored Lazarus, the poor man”
Everyone in the world knows that Catholics have always had a strong social justice doctrine. While I was in the formation program to become a deacon, it really surprised me the importance that Catholic doctrine placed on respect for the dignity of each person. That was the way that I was raised, not as a Catholic but as a Protestant. I was taught that it was important to treat everyone with respect regardless of their position in life, the color of their skin or how wealthy they were.
Jesus proclaimed that the Kingdome of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel. He treated everyone as a Child of God, even the religious leaders that he scolded for their hypocrisy. He healed the masses of the people and forgave their sins. And he always treated each person the same whether it was a wealthy man’s son, a religious leader’s daughter, a leper, a tax collector or a prostitute. This is beyond obtaining social justice for those who are oppressed or mistreated. Treating everyone with respect and being the servant to care for those who are in need is the fundamental teaching of Jesus.
Was the rich man condemned because of his wealth? No, he was condemned because of the way he ignored the suffering of Lazarus. The rich man could have helped Lazarus by chasing the dogs away, by giving him some food from his table and clothing. The rich man could have helped Lazarus get some strength and then provided employment so he “get back on his feet”. Unfortunately, the rich man ignored Lazarus.
Tikkun Olam, the Jewish belief that we all have to make the world a better place to live by helping to remove pollution, oppression, mistreatment of the poor, the widow, the orphan and the stranger. The rich man’s sin was his total disregard for the person he passed numerous times every day without caring for his neighbor. The rich man’s actions were against his own Jewish teaching.
As Christians, we must take action to bring social justice to the disadvantaged, the hungry, the homeless and the poor. But it is more important that we teach others to respect for each person as an individual, a child of God, by the example we live.
Let’s try to find a way to be an example to others this Lent. Let us silently be an example of serving others the way Jesus taught us. At times, it will take extreme courage to go over and help someone who is being mistreated or laughed at. It will take courage to take a meal to a homeless person on the corner. It will take courage to identify ourselves as a Christian.
Will we have the courage to show respect to the leper, the outcast from society, the person who is disabled or the person who doesn’t dress like we dress? Or will we commit the sin of the rich man by ignoring those who are in need that we see every day?
