Twenty Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time - Lk: 16: 19-23 “God Will Help”
Twenty Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Luke 16:19-23 “God Will Help”
Each parable that we’ve read during the last few Sundays connects to the next. All were told at the Pharisees’ house where Jesus had been invited to dinner. Every parable seems to turn conventional religious wisdom on its head. We have the values of this world. We also have the values of Jesus. Today we have the story of a rich man.
Usually, stories about rich people can take three different directions. We find this in our everyday life. When we tell stories about wealthy people, we might talk about how generous they are. Perhaps we share how they have given money to a worthy cause. Maybe we are impressed with the fact they live in a humble manner. And these behaviors are held up as virtuous. Rich people don’t have to share. The wealthy, we believe, can use their wealth to obtain whatever pleasure they might want. Afterall, their money belongs to them.
The other stories that are shared about the wealthy are usually stories about how stingy they are. Who can forget the story of Ebenezer Scrooge as told by Charles Dickens. Scrooge lived in a cold apartment in London that had been handed down to him. He did not spend money on, food, clothing, heat, or any other pleasure. Nor did he believe anyone else should either.
The third story that is shared about the wealthy is usually a story about conversion. At some point the stingy rich person has a change of heart. Maybe the fear of death causes this. For whatever reason they move from being stingy to generous, using their wealth for the good of humanity.
The parable about Lazarus and the Rich man doesn’t seem to fit neatly into any of the categories. The parable we hear today is unique in several ways. For example, Lazarus is the only character that is ever given a name in the Gospels. Lazarus’ name means “God will help.” The poor man in this story has an identity. The rich man is never given a name. His identity is drawn from his wealth. His self-worth revolves around his status. He believes he is important because he is well off. He lives in a narcissistic world where everything must revolve around him. And dying doesn’t change him.
When he dies, he is still self-absorbed. We would think that he might cry out for forgiveness. We might expect that the rich man might try to make amends for the neglect he has shown the poor during his life. Maybe his plight might change his attitude. But the only thing he thinks of is his thirst. He expects Lazarus to wait on him, to bring him water. He thinks only of saving the people that are close to him, no one else. He wants them warned. But it is pointed out to him that a fear of punishment seldom changes the attitude of sinners. Only some kind of spiritual conversion does. Only when people listen to prophets, taking to heart their message, does a change in attitude occur.
The other thing we notice about the story is that Lazarus rests in the bosom of Abraham. Why does he rest with Abraham? He is with Abraham because Abraham, behaved differently in his life than the rich man in the parable. Abraham had an open-door policy. When people came to visit him, he brought them into his tent to feed them, to care for them. In the Book of Genesis chapter 19, he looks up to see three men standing at a distance from his tent. He runs out to greet them. He begs the men to accept his hospitality. He kills a fatted calf and dines with them. In the end the strangers seem to be angels. Abraham, who was a wealthy man, looks for who he might serve. He ignores no one.
During the past week there was a powerful miniseries on PBS on the Holocaust. During the 1930’s and 40’s, the Jews were seeking to escape Europe because they came to the realization that they were to be exterminated. Countries throughout the world refused to accept Jewish immigrants. The story is a sad story. In the 1950’s the mantra was never again. But the story has been repeated. Today, we have many people from Ukraine to Syria, to Venezuela to a host of other places that are looking for a safe haven. Our challenge is whether we will do our part. All migrants have names. All have stories. Our charity will be tested again and again as the world becomes more unpredictable. God will help only if people of faith are his instruments. May we be like Abraham and Sarah who were open to hearing the story of the alien and responding with empathy.
Reflection Questions:
1. How do I feel about immigrants? Do I feel limited responsibility for them?
2. If I take care of my family is that all that is necessary as a Christian? Where do I draw the line with my charity?
Dear Parishioners,
Next Sunday will be the beginning of October. October is a month when the American Catholic Church reflects on life issues. The church believes in defending life at every stage from conception until its natural end. Currently the debate about one pro-life issue is very intense. The Catholic Church is firmly against abortion. The Catholic Church is also firmly for compassion and mercy towards everyone who lives. Sometimes moral questions are very complex. We are faced with difficult choices. We cannot say that there is no moral code. We also cannot say that there aren’t moments when the choices are difficult. That is when we must be humble enough to try to discern what the right path is. If we try to inform our conscience and approach ethical choices with humility God will be rich in mercy.
The one thing that Jesus hated more that anything else was a judgmental attitude. He condemned that moral fault more than any other in the Gospel. Jesus is the model for all of us to follow. If we condemn others in harsh ways, we are far from the ideals Jesus put forth.
This October lets pray for compassionate hearts and let’s pray for reconciliation in our society. We are not to go to war against each other. We are to seek healing. That is the core of all pro-life issues.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over us this week.
Fr. Mark