The rich man in today’s gospel, finely adorned in purple linen, feasting upon delicious and plentiful food and seated in a comfortable home, is the definition of the “sin of indifference,” which is often called the greatest sin of all, while ignoring those around him. While abortion, murder and pillaging may get the “headlines,” the sin of indifference is truly the “anti-Christ” in our modern world. The rich man seems not to care about the needs of Lazarus or even acknowledge his existence on earth; he seems not to notice him until he is in need of his help from heaven.

In a recent daily homily Pope Francis spoke of a photo given to him of a well-dressed couple exiting an exclusive restaurant in Rome and walking past, without a look, a woman begging in the street for scraps of food. The Holy Father pointed to this photo—to the idea that a person could turn their gaze from another human in need with seemingly little if any concern— as the sin of indifference.

God is the source, the summit and font of Love. He is Love. And in that Love He has Created,
Redeemed and Sustains humankind through His own Self-emptying Love. Indifference, the lack of compassion (Love), is sinful in that it turns the human person away from not only “what God is” but “What God commands of us to be.” Not too long ago in our American culture there was a sense or understanding of Noblesse Oblige (the inferred responsibility of privileged people to act with generosity and nobility toward those less privileged). While we might think of this in the terms of the high society of Downton Abbey giving from their table or larder to those who have no food, the Christian meaning is for all who have—even those who have little—are all called to have compassion and to serve those who have less than us. Compassion does not
adhere to a Table of Standards, there is no “threshold” one must meet in order to help. Rather, compassion comes to be when a need is seen, recognized and fulfilled. May our prayer this weekend and everyday ask God to grant us eyes of faith to see and recognize the need of another and the heart to respond in Love