The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

Today's Reflections

The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus 

 

Lk 16:19-31

[Jesus said to the Pharisees,] ¹⁹“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. ²⁰And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, ²¹who 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. ²²When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, ²³and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.

²⁴And 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.’ ²⁵Abraham 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. ²⁶Moreover, 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.’ ²⁷He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, ²⁸for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.’ ²⁹But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ ³⁰He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ ³¹Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.’ ”

Reflection:
 

HE WAS IN TORMENT. The rich man in the parable is condemned not because he is rich. Lazarus is rewarded not because he is poor. The parable does not imply that wealth is bad. Nor does the story glorify poverty.

The rich man is tormented in the netherworld because he does nothing. He has the means to help Lazarus and uplift the latter’s deplorable situation. Yet, he wastes his opportunities to be of service. He is insensitive to the plight of the poor man at his door.

Riches may indeed blind us to the many Lazaruses in our midst. To whom much is given, much is expected in return. Wealth is not to be used for self-satisfaction alone. It is meant to be shared to gain eternal rewards.

Who are the Lazaruses in your life?
What can you share with them?