Sunday Meditation: The Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man

On the Twenty-Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time in Year C, we hear Jesus tell us the Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man.  Have you ever passed a beggar on the street without even thinking about him?  I know I have.  Three years ago I mentioned how this parable convicts.   Sure we are to use our prudential judgement when handing out money to beggars, but often that is just an excuse.  Three years ago I mentioned how the rich man is in hell without committing an actual physical sin.  His sin is of omission, and yes that can be just as grave as any consciously committed sin.  Some other things to point out this time around.  Lazarus is in heaven for not necessarily doing anything of good.  He is just in heaven because he suffered.  In some ways, this parable is a fulfillment of the Job’s suffering in the Book of Job.  Another observation is that Lazarus is a Christ figure having undergone his own passion.

Here is the Gospel passage.

 

Jesus said to the Pharisees:

"There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day.

And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man's table.

Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.

When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.

The rich man also died and was buried and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.

And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me.

Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.'

Abraham replied,

'My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.

Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.'

He said, 'Then I beg you, father, send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.'

But Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets.

Let them listen to them.'

He said, 'Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'

Then Abraham said, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'"

~Lk 16:19-31

 

Dr. Brant Pitre explains the passage.

Love of neighbor requires compassion for those who are struggling, and compassion requires some commission (as opposed to omission) of generosity. 

The pastoral homily I found most interesting was that from Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger of Detroit.  The tables have turned.

Another thing that is interesting to me is that Jesus is speaking this directly to the Pharisees.  I like that the Archbishop gives this challenge to archbishops as well.

 

Sunday Meditation: “'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'"

 

Let’s return to John Michael Talbot for today’s hymn with “The Cry of the Poor.”

 

“The Lord hears the cry of the poor.”