Idolatry of the Poor.

Orthometer ^ | 9/29/2013 | FR. ERIK RICHTSTEIG

[markomalley]

The Gospel reading this weekend is the Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man from the Gospel according to Saint Luke. I suspect that throughout the world many homilies and sermons ended up saying something to the effect of, “Rich people bad. Poor people good.” This like all heresies is the result of a gross simplification of the Gospel, a deliberate misreading of the message of Jesus, and an imposition of a foreign ideology.

The sin of the unnamed rich man was not that he had wealth. Rather it was that he did not pay attention to Moses and the prophets. As is evident from the parable, he paid no attention to Lazarus. Even from Hell, he views Lazarus as at best his servant. Was this his only sin or greatest sin? Likely not. Was Lazarus' virtue the fact that he was poor and sick? No. It was that. His virtues are not specified. But we know from Moses and the prophets that God commanded all rich and poor alike to obey His commands. We can infer from Lazarus' presence in the Bosom of Abraham that he had walked in God's path.

This would have amazed the Pharisees of Jesus' time to whom the parable was addressed. They held to a version of the Gospel of Prosperity. How do you tell who God likes? The are healthy and wealthy. This is heresy in view of both the Old and New Covenant. Yet it remains. We find in among the TV preachers as well as among those who view poverty, sickness, and other misfortunes as a punishment rather than a share in the Cross of Christ for the salvation of the world.

But today there is also a mirror image heresy. It is rooted in a distortion of the Gospel. It is also rooted in envy and jealousy with more than a pinch of Marxism and Socialism. This view holds that the wealthy are wicked and evil because of their wealth and the poor are virtuous because of their poverty. There is more than a little bit of romantic idealism here. It makes a idol out of poverty and the poor.

There are and have been saints and sinners among the rich as well as the poor. Wealth poses unique opportunities for sin as well as paths to virtue. Remember that while Jesus said that it is difficult for a rich man to enter through the Needle's Eye as it is for him to enter into the Kingdom of God, He also that for God all things are possible. The prime temptations of the rich are pride, self-sufficiency, and a hardness of heart. But poverty presents its own temptations; jealous, envy, and greed. Both the rich and the poor are called to holiness and holiness is possible for both. Demonization of one and idolization of the other must be avoided.

The will of God is that all men be saved. The Gospel is for both the materially poor and the materially rich. Christ died for all men. It is the job of the Church to work for the salvation of all.

[cripplecreek]

Remember that while Jesus said that it is difficult for a rich man to enter through the Needle's Eye as it is for him to enter into the Kingdom of God, He also that for God all things are possible.

I love pointing that out.

[allendale]

No that is not what most homilies are saying. Most homilies are preaching against being indifferent to the lot of the poor. In addition to personal charity, the best way to help the poor and alleviate poverty is to create real wealth and good jobs through productive capitalism. Left wing schemes and socialism historically have made poverty and misery worse. That is why Republicans and Conservative have the moral high ground.

[skeeter]

My understanding of the 'camel through the eye of a needle' metaphor had to do with the pride of the wealthy rather than the possession of wealth itself.

The 'eye of the needle' was an entrance to the temple that was made purposely small so that those who passed through would necessarily bow upon entering. A wealthy man too proud to come down off of his camel would never be able to pass through.

[Jvette]

The Democratic Party uses the plight of the poor to push their socially progressive agenda. Voters continue to vote for them because they see that party as more compassionate toward the poor and oppressed. Because of that, they are able to convince others that their liberal social issues are also the more compassionate also.

True love for the poor does not use their suffering to advance an agenda but rather works to help them end their poverty or gives without strings attached or ulterior motives.

When I asked a fellow parishioner how she justifies voting for Obama in light of his rabid support of abortion, she said that the Democrats love the poor and the Republicans love the rich. Then she told me that without the Democrats, she would have her job helping the poor.

I asked her “Why do you need a job to help the poor?”

I got not answer.

[Darteaus94025]

2 Thessalonians 3:10

For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

[cripplecreek]

In addition to personal charity, the best way to help the poor and alleviate poverty is to create real wealth and good jobs through productive capitalism.

That's why I say we should spend a lot more time trying to eliminate excessive regulation and explaining why. Sure welfare and entitlements need to be cut but we're successfully portrayed as punishers for doing so when there is no job creation to go along with it.

[Salvation]

And warriors on horses or camels could not pass through the needle sized doorway.

Good defense mechanism — very simple.

[HarleyD]

Exo_30:15 The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less, than the half shekel, when you give the LORD's offering to make atonement for your lives.

[Mrs. Don-o]

For later.

[riri]

Andre Wilkow always used to say "the day will come when you will be required to bend down and kiss the king of the poor"

That day is here.

[Zionist Conspirator]

There's one thing everyone needs to understand: I grew up poor, among poor people (technially I'm still poor), and I never met one who was a political radical.

Leftism is not the creation of poor people. It is not the creation of "ordinary people," whom the Left time and again claims to want to "put in charge of their own lives."

I once read a leftist claim that "elites" support mysticism (religion), I suppose as a means of social control. But everyone here knows this is the exact opposite of the reality. It is poor people, ordinary people, who are most dedicated to mysticism, while elites promote materialism relentlessly. And considering that philosophy's origins among ancient Greek philosophers and nineteenth century European intellectuals, why would they?

Why some poor and ordinary people sell out and go along with these elitists is beyond me. But "ordinary people" have never been in charge of any movement of the Left.

[count-your-change]

For some people being poor takes no effort at all. I used to work long and hard to go broke. Then I realized I could go broke without working at it. I could relax and be just as poor, no schooling, no long hours, I think I have this poverty thing down to an art.

So if anyone needs help becoming poor......

[KC Burke]

You make a good point.

I heard the same reading this morning.

The money, property and prosperity are, of course, not condemned by the parable. Rather than fostering a resentment of the direction from the parable, we need to understand our love for money and property.

In my case, it does occupy my attention to the detriment of my ability to be truly focused on the brotherhood of man. I need the reminder of that failing.

[jmacusa]

“Again I say unto you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven’’. Matthew, 19;24.

[jmacusa]

Wealth and poverty also share something— predation. Predatory wealth and predatory poverty. The latter can be especially pernicious since it can tempt and beguile the poor into making their lot much worse. Marxism and Socialism are two examples of this.

[Salvation]

Good post.

[tiki]

Our priests homily made the same points as this article.

[boatbums]

Pingie, ping, ping. :o)

[boatbums]

Good points here. Certain people have pronounced recently that only the poor (materially poor) can even be saved. That, in order for a rich person to be saved, he must give all he has to the poor and join a monastery. Glad to see that most people know that Jesus' lesson was NOT about blessing the poor, but rather it's the "poor in spirit" for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Being poor in spirit means coming to God in humility and recognizing our utter insufficiency in saving ourselves. Even people with wealth can be poor in spirit and materially poor people can be oblivious to their spiritual poverty and need for Christ.