Readings:
Jeremiah 17: 5 – 10
Luke 16: 19 – 31
Reflection:
Jesus contrasts the opulence and obscene indifference of the rich man to the degrading poverty of the poor man, Lazarus. The rich man often called Dives (Latin for ‘a rich man’) lives the good life in his gated apartment and is indifferent to the life of the poor man who starves and seeks help at his gate.
Pope Paul VI famously used this parable to paint a picture of the terrible indifference in international relations between the wealthy nations who jealously guard their greater wealth and the poor nations who struggle for survival.
The point of the parable is that the rich man was supremely indifferent to the plight of Lazarus. He trusted in his own wealth and social status instead of realising that through God’s Covenant we each of us have a responsibility to our neighbour. We are all God’s children, so we must share with those who do not have sufficient goods for their livelihood.
In a sense the rich man did nothing wrong, yet he had a heart of stone and was indifferent to the plight of his brother at the gate.
In our day, we too need repentance of heart to succour those who are in distress and to recognise them as a brother or sister in the Lord.
A Western journalist once asked Mother Theresa, “How can you care for all these people?” (referring to the many countless poor in India). “One can start,” she said. “I just love them one person at a time!”
We, too, are called to open our hearts to the Lazarus next door or at our gate, one person at a time.
Pat McIndoe CP, a Passionist at St. Joseph, Port Moresby, PNG.