Sin of Ommission

Its only yesterday that I have heard of this again. This was the theme of Father Jojo's homily. It came to me that its not only what we do that counts but also what we don't do or what we ommit to do. I may not be "committing" the sin myself, but if I am allowing my friends, neighbors or family to do wrong without me saying a word, i still am committing a sin! this is the sin of ommission. i am guilty of this. i most of the time dont care if others do wrong. i dont wanna get involved. but this was all wrong. i have learned that i have a huge responsibility, and so does every other christian in this world. we have the responsibility of guarding others to not committing a sin. for example, if you have a friend whom you know is doing something that is not good, you should be responsible to tell him/her that what he does is wrong. whether he listens or not, its his call. if you were able to remind him of his wrong deeds, then you are already saved from the sin of ommission. if he does not listen, then you no longer have responsibility on that, you have done your part. having them to listen to you is just a bonus maybe. so we need to be on guard, not only for ourselves but for others.

here's a good poem about this topic:

Misdeeds and Missed Deeds

It isn’t the thing you do;
It’s the thing you leave undone,
Which gives you a bit of heartache
At the setting of the sun.
The tender word forgotten,
The letter you did not write,
The flower you might have sent,
Are your haunting ghosts tonight.
The stone you might have lifted
Out of a brother’s way,
The bit of heart some counsel
You were harried too much to say.
The loving touch of the hand,
The gentle winsome tone,
That you had no time or tho’t for
With troubles enough of your own.
The little acts of kindnessS
o easily out of mind;
Those chances to be helpful
Which everyone may find.
No, it’s not the things you do,
It’s the thing you leave undone
Which gives you the bit of heartache
At the setting of the sun.

- Margaret Sangster