Lazarus and the Rich Man

Jesus said, "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.'" Luke 16:19-31

We live in a very divided society. The poor have become poorer, the rich ever so much richer. The homeless and those seeking asylum are  called "bad and dangerous people". Many who have found themselves on the streets, or crossing our borders, are doing so because of harsh public policies and violent regimes and gangs. They are called dangerous and yet, are often the victims, those who have been rejected by society and family. They are our neighbors too.

Jesus tells another parable about who God loves and rescues. Clearly, the selfish rich are not beloved of God. Our wealth and status in this life mean nothing to God. Our compassion and sharing mean everything. We are invited in our comfortable places to see the need around us and share what we can. Foe God does not divide us, nor created the chasm. It is a chasm of our own making, which we can close, if we would but respond to the need in our midst.

Today, I ask God to open my eyes to the needs around me and help me to give freely. May we all  open our hearts to the Lazarus in our lives, reaching out of comfort into love.