A poor man named Lazarus (Sabong News)
Author
Manila Bulletin
Date
MARCH 17 2022
The rich man (Dives, from Latin for “rich man”) in the parable is not condemned because he is rich or because the money with which he dines sumptuously each day is ill-gotten. It is rather for lack of concern for the poor man lying at his door. The vivid and detailed description of the beggar — covered with sores and dogs licking them — brings out even more the uncaring character of Dives. This parable is intended for those who live like Dives and his brothers.
They face a crisis (testing) in their lives and they do not realize it. Commenting on the parable, Pope Francis says that as long as Lazarus sat outside his house, the rich man had the opportunity for salvation, yet he denied it and the situation has become irreparable. The Pope adds that God’s mercy toward us is linked to our mercy toward others, but if this aspect is missing from our attitude, God’s mercy cannot find space inside our closed hearts, it cannot enter.
Gospel • LUKE 16:19-31
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.’ ”
SOURCE:
ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail:
; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
