The Gospel of Luke 16:19-31
Jesus said, “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, `Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.’ But Abraham said, `Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’ He said, `Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house– for I have five brothers– that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’ Abraham replied, `They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ He said, `No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, `If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'”
I had to include the Epistle for this Sunday also: 1 Timothy 6:6-19 There is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep the commandment without spot or blame until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will bring about at the right time– he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. It is he alone who has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see; to him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.
Let us Pray: God of mercy and reversal, Open our eyes to the Lazarus at our gates. Break our hearts of stone and stir us to compassion. Teach us to live not for comfort, but for communion— with You, with the poor, and with the truth of Your Word. Amen.
Again, Luke the time traveler. Seems like there may be a lot of people from today’s society who will be calling out to Abraham for a little bit of water.
1 Timothy 6:6-19 is about finding contentment in godliness rather than wealth, avoiding the temptations that come with pursuing riches, and focusing on righteousness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness in service to God. It is the opening act for this Gospel,
The story of the rich man and Lazarus presents one of Jesus’ most vivid and unsettling parables. It’s a narrative charged with ethical urgency, spiritual reversal, and prophetic critique. This parable contrasts the lives of a wealthy man who indulges in luxury and a poor man named Lazarus who suffers at the rich man’s gate. After their deaths, their fortunes are reversed: Lazarus is comforted in the bosom of Abraham, while the rich man finds himself in torment. This stark reversal highlights the themes of justice, mercy, and the consequences of one’s actions in life. There are three characters in this parable which can be easily equated to people in our society today. The Rich Man, he could be one of many billionaires who despise and ignore those who he could help. Today they may not be clothed in purple and fine linen as a symbol of their wealth and status but they definitely have the fixtures that make them stand out not only by their possession but by their attitudes, and they are oblivious to the suffering at their gates. Lazarus could be any person who is homeless and in desperate need who is poor, sick, and hungry. You find them in every town desperate for help. Abraham could be one of many who provide help and guidance to the forgotten and under privileged appears as a figure of divine justice and mercy helping in today’s world, not just in the afterlife. One who understands the plight of the forgotten.
Looking at these three players now you understand why I think Luke is a time traveler. Today is no different than the time Luke wrote this. Continuing we can see the rich man’s indifference to Lazarus’s suffering it illustrates a critical moral lesson about social responsibility. The rich man had the means to help Lazarus but chose to ignore him. This raises questions about our society’s attitudes towards those in need. Are we aware of the suffering around us, and do we take action to help? The parable invites us to examine our behavior towards the poor, especially when no one is watching. The Gospel lesson serves as a sobering reminder of the eternal consequences of our earthly choices. The rich man, despite his status, ends up in torment, while Lazarus is rewarded. This reversal challenges societal views that equate wealth with divine favor and poverty with divine disfavor. It prompts reflection on how we prioritize our lives and the values we uphold. As we reflect on this parable, we are challenged to consider our own lives. How do we respond to the needs of those around us? Are we, like the rich man, blinded by our comforts and privileges? The parable encourages us to cultivate a heart of compassion and to recognize the dignity of every person, regardless of their social status. It invites us to act justly and to extend mercy, reflecting the love of Christ in our interactions with others.
In conclusion, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus is not just a story about two men; it is a powerful reminder of the choices we make and their eternal implications. It calls us to live with awareness, compassion, and a commitment to justice, ensuring that we do not ignore the needs of those around us. As we strive to embody these values, we align ourselves more closely with the teachings of Jesus and the heart of God. Seek to live a life that is characterized by righteousness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. You’ll experience a sense of great gain and fulfillment that transcends the temporary pleasures of this world.
Let us pray: God of the great reversal, You lift the poor into Abraham’s embrace. You remember the forgotten. You vindicate the suffering. You are not blind to the sores, the shame, the sorrow. To those who lie outside the gates— grant comfort, dignity, and joy. To those who have been denied justice— grant vindication and peace. speak Your eternal “You are mine.” And to us, who have more than we need— grant humility, generosity, and courage to dismantle the divide, to share the feast, to live the Gospel. In the name of the One who rose from the dead to awaken the living, Amen.
Reflections by Bob 