Kaitha 5th S,Aug.8,10

Kaitha 5^th S,Aug.8,10

(Lk.16:19-31)

In today’s Gospel, through the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus once again presents before us the stark contrast between two attitudes to life and wealth, one that of extreme attachment to one’s wealth and needs and the other, that of reaching out to come to the aid of the those who are needy and helpless. What Jesus wants from each one of his disciples is the second attitude—the attitude of coming to the aid of those who are in need of assistance.

The parable is very vivid in details in order to show the contrast between the two attitudes. The rich man is lavishly prosperous. He is dressed in fine clothes and eats well. Everything that makes life comfortable is at his disposal. He is totally indifferent to the needs of others. He enjoys his advantages with great delight. He does not have to worry about his health or about what is in store for him in the future. He is least bothered by the poverty of the people around him. .

Lazarus is in a living situation that is just the opposite of what is being enjoyed by the rich man. Lazarus is full of sores and his sores are licked by the dogs wandering around him. He is waiting for the crumbs of bread that come from the table of the rich man and they too are scantily available. He lives in sickness and poverty, abandoned by all.

After their deaths, their roles and positions are reversed. Lazarus is resting in the bosom of Abraham, enjoying eternal peace and joy while the rich man is in Hades, suffering eternal pain. Parched of thirst, he asks Abraham to let Lazarus to soothe his thirst. Abraham lets him know that the gulf between them is impassable and that their situation cannot in any way be reversed. He is told of his lost opportunities. The rich man still does not regret the sins of his life but is engrossed in his selfishness. He is more concerned with the welfare and comfort of his family. Selfishness is all that is seen in his life. He does not break out of his selfishness nor is there is any attempt on his part to be merciful and compassionate.

The rich man does not do any offense to Lazarus. His sin consists in not taking care of Lazarus when he was in need of help. His sin of omission is a serious offense in the eyes of the Lord.

“The sin of the rich man was simply that he never noticed Lazarus. He accepted him as a part of the landscape of life. The sin of the rich man was not a sin of commission, that is, doing something he should not have done. It was a sin of omission, that is , not doing something he should have done.

The sin of the rich man was basking in his own wealth and not lifting a finger to help Lazarus in his dire need.

The sin of the rich man was the same sin that is being committed over and over today. And it is the sin that is beginning to cause grave concern not only because of what it is doing to the poor but also because of what it is doing to the society.”(Mark Link S.J.)

“The rich man wanted mercy after he dies. But he showed no mercy while he was alive. The secret of obtaining mercy is to give it during the time of our human development here.”(Alfred McBride O.Praem).

This parable is a strong reminder to all of us to show mercy and compassion even when we are not bound by duty or relationship to them. The very fact that people are suffering around us is a sufficient reason for us to go out of our way to help them. We cannot be indifferent to the sufferings of people around us. There are people who need our help in some way or another. Sometimes, it is monetary help; other times, kind words and gestures that are needed from us. We can never be stingy in showing mercy and compassion. Only when we give and mercy and compassion, we also receive them in the same way in our lives.

Lazarus is everywhere in our lives. We meet him at all times. The members of the family who need understanding and sensitivity, the children who need our special attention to grow and mature in their faith and grand parents or parents who need our emotional support are the Lazarus of our lives. When we turn to the vices of alcoholism or domestic violence or use very abusive and contemptuous words hurting and wounding the feelings of people, we fall into the arrogance of the rich man.

We can never be indifferent to the misery and poverty that are rampant in our society.

John Paul ll : “We cannot stand idly by, enjoying our own riches and freedom, if in any place the Lazarus of the 20^th c stands at our doors.”

Let us ask the Lord to give us the grace to become merciful and compassionate and to have the generosity to come to the aid of those who need help and assistance.