Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to saint Luke 16, 19-31
Jesus said to the Pharisees, “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.'”
Your wealth can be your poverty
1) The rich man. This man has a feature that you and I can have, too; he is “self-sufficient”. This man offered parties and entertainment, he lacked nothing. Self-sufficiency leads you to believe that you can handle everyone around you. How we like to be surrounded by people who follow us! Be careful! When you feel the center of the universe and you like everyone to look at you, you might fall into indifference, you do not see the needy, those who suffer. Indifference is a consequence of self-sufficiency. Do not be indifferent to those who really need you and do not go only to those who flatter you.
2) Death. It is what changes everything. Death will always be a mystery for us, and our fear. Life is short and I will not get tired of telling you, live your life fully and may death surprise you ‘living’ and not waiting for it or looking at it. Live!
3) Value. You must value what you have; learn to value life, health, your family, your food, history. Because others do not have anything. Don’t complain because you weren’t served a special dish because others don’t have enough to eat. Don’t complain about the mom or dad you have, because others didn’t even get to know their parents. Anyway, just for today, don’t complain and value what you have.
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!
