The Parable of Lazarus And The Rich Man
Today’s Gospel reading, Luke 16: 19-31
In this parable Lazarus is a leper who suffers with his disease in poverty and pain, begging for scraps outside the door of a rich man. The rich man lived in luxury with all of the comforts that wealth can provide. When Lazarus died he went to heaven. However, when the rich man died he went to the fires of hell. The rich man saw Lazarus at the side of Abraham in heaven and asked him to send Lazarus to him to quench his thirst. Abraham responded, “’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”…. Then the rich man asked to have Lazarus sent from the dead to warn his brothers to repent so they wouldn’t also go to hell. But, Abraham told them that if they did not listen to Moses and the prophets in the Word of God, they would “not be persuaded if someone would rise from the dead.”
Reflection: As we read this parable we would like to compare ourselves to the leper who would be rewarded in heaven. But, are we not more like the rich man who enjoyed all of the pleasures and comfort of wealth, possessions, and good health during our lifetime. For, as we hear this parable we are all very much aware of someone who warned us to repent, showed us how to live according to God’s will, and rose from the dead. We have the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus for our example, and yet we fail to live according to God’s will. Let us begin today to read, study, and listen to The Word of God.
