Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 16 19-31
There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with soresand longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.
But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.
He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.
Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.
No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.
He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.
The rich man and the poor man
1- The rich man. He had luxuries, but only material ones. The evangelist describes the things he had as “beautiful and majestic possessions”. He had riches to live on, but he did not really live. He had parties, but only to feed his narcissism… to mark his earthly power. He dressed to attract attention and wore things that made him stand out in front of others. Today you can be that kind of person; the one who always wants to attract attention with your comments, your style, and your behavior. You want to be right about everything. Beware of being conceited, that is, beware of provoking others, but then not assuming the consequences. Vanity is just around the corner in our lives. Many like to party, and many like to have fun, but it can be used as a way of escaping responsibility. Beware of falling into these situations.
2- Poor Lazarus. The sores are those wounds that are just underneath your skin. We all have them. Today you may be like that poor person who has wounds that mark him; that person who seems to be odd or out of place because he does not get involved in other people’s parties. How many times do we say to ourselves “look at this one who leads a carefree life, he does not care about anything and look how well he is doing; on the other hand, I try to lead my life in the best possible way, and everything seems to go wrong for me.” Today God reminds you that we all die, and that sooner or later, we face judgment. Remember that the party begins in heaven and is eternal.
3- In eternity. We know that there is heaven and hell, but it is up to you whether every day of your life is a heaven or a hell. Today, you have to remember that you cannot take your life for granted as if nothing will ever happen. Yes, you cannot live as if the world begins and ends with you. Life also involves looking at those around you because there are many Lazarus, and many wounds. Today, you can heal, and take your life more seriously. Life is beautiful. Live it ! – but live it with God, in God, and for God.
God bless you and be with you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And always remember, Heaven is our goal!
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