It is said that the opposite of love is hate. I would disagree with this statement; the opposite of love is not hate, but is instead apathy. To simply not care about those who are in greater need than we are, must be the greatest of sins.
I believe that apathy is the greatest threat to humanity that exists today. For the more that the people are willing to accept or allow government agency’s to do the work of charity, or politicians to repress us in our speech, faith, or recreation, etc. the increasingly we will become a slave of our own making. We must be like children to enter the kingdom of God, (Mat. 18; 3) this does not mean to be innocent or immature, but instead to be totally dependent on others for their/our very survival. This means that we as adults are to be totally dependent on the God, Spirit, or the Higher Power of our faith. To extend this thought further, this would mean that it is the responsibility of the better off to make sure the poor are clothed and the hungry are fed. (Mat. 35-36a) Please note that I stated the “better off” and not the “rich”, for even the poor can, and do, help the poor. If the world becomes apathetic then the suffering of humanity will continue to grow. And I believe that this suffering will continue to grow to unprecedented levels.
The call of all the major faiths is a call for intervention into the world of suffering. There is a time for prayer, meditation and contemplation, but when this has run its course then becomes a time for action. This is the time for a positive physical action to help those in need. Regardless if this occurs during the regular course of the day or in an emergency situation. Acts of charity are acts of love; however love without works of charity/love is but an empty thought. Without the action of charity, love has no meaning.
I can think of no greater disconnect from God, Spirit or Higher Power than to have no concern for the needy, the mourning, the outcasts of society, for those who have no one who cares for them, psychologically, physically, and/or emotionally. Yes, apathy is indeed the sin of sins, the quickest departure from our faith of God, Spirit, or Higher Power. Apathy may be the greatest gift that Lucifer, evil, has ever bestowed upon humanity throughout all of history.
May you be empowered to help, someone, somewhere, somehow.
Scripture is from the NABRE
by David E.Gonzales
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