Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint 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.'”
Your wealth can be your poverty
1) The rich man. This man is presented as having a trait that can be in you and in me: “self-sufficiency” and that arrogance leads you to believe that you can handle everyone around you. This man lacked nothing, he gave parties and offered entertainment. How we like to be surrounded by people who follow us! And there are people who only go where there is a party. Be careful! When you feel the center of the universe and you like everyone to look at you, you might fall into indifference; you don’t see the needy, those who suffer. Indifference is a consequence of self-sufficiency, of arrogance. Don’t be indifferent to those who really need you and don’t seek only 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 to the fullest’ and not waiting for death or looking for it… Live!”
3) Value. You must value what you have, learn to value life, health, your family, your food, your life-story. Because others don’t have anything. Don’t complain because you didn’t get a special dish, remember 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.
Always remember that something good is on the way! God bless you and be with you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
