+ It is important to
define terms at the beginning of this homily: the rich man may have been a very “good
man,” but was in at least one sense “bad,” not because he was rich, but because
he just didn’t really care about poor Lazarus
who was a real person in need right there in front of him. And Lazarus wasn’t “good” simply because he
was “poor,” there are a lot of poor people who are bad through and through; but
in his poverty Lazarus trusted in God
and relied on brothers and sisters of the human family to help him in his
need. And help did not come – at least from the rich man.
At
the end of his life – the rich man who apparently made some other
bad decisions along the way – ended up in
a place of flames and torment; while Lazarus found a place at the very side of Abraham in heaven.
The rich man begged Abraham to send
Lazarus with just a drop of water to cool his tongue, but Abraham reminded
the rich man that while he had it rather
well during his lifetime, the poor man did not – and now he is comforted for his suffering, whereas
you are tormented. Moreover between
us there is a chasm that cannot be crossed – there is no crossing back and
forth for any reason: the chasm is the
finality of our spiritual dispositions at the point of death.
When
the rich man pleaded with Abraham to send someone from the dead to warn his five brothers so they didn’t
end up there with him – Abraham wisely told him that that too would be
impossible. They have Moses and the
Prophets – let them listen to them, Abraham told him. In other words – there is already ample warning in the sacred
writings and teachings - and even if
one should rise from the dead to warn
them personally, it probably would not help – this is a reference to when
Jesus himself would rise from the dead to verify everything he taught and did
before his death but still so very many would refuse to learn from him or let
his Person and teaching affect their lives in any profound way.
The
real sin in today’s readings is complacency. It
was certainly seen in the gospel, and it cost the rich man his eternal peace
and happiness; it was present in the first reading from the Prophet Amos – when
the prophet rails against the people of Israel: Woe to the complacent in Zion! Lying upon beds of ivory, stretched
comfortably on their couches, they eat lambs taken from the flock, improvising
to the music of the harp, they drink wine from bowls and anoint themselves with
the best oils. Therefore, now they shall be the first to go into exile, and
their wanton revelry shall be done away with. Was Amos prophesying about
our generation as well? How complacent are we in a country where, despite our
wealth, millions live on or below the poverty level and families struggle to
make ends meet. In a world where nearly two billion people live on a mere
dollar a day are we really doing all we can for our brothers and sisters in
need?
Though
the sin involved today is complacency – the overarching theme of God’s merciful forgiveness is strong.
When we finally “see the light,” “turn” and make him the center of our lives –
and detach ourselves from our possessions – and truly live for others – and ask
his forgiveness for any wrong done in the past against faith and charity – he
is right there immediately to make things right for us! He loves us so – he will always welcome us –
when we want to return!
The
gospel tells us that the poor
have a right even to our scraps – to our excess – to our leftovers – but it
is so much more dignified, loving and Christian to give them what we would want to receive ourselves
(which is the Golden Rule) – the best of the best! After all, this is what
God gave us when we were all poor and needy sinners – he gave us his Son, as
our Redeemer!
Praise
the Lord, my soul!
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