Parable of the Rich
Man and Lazarus
(Luke
16.19-31)
When
the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The
rich man also died and from the netherworld he raised his eyes and saw Abraham
far off with 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.
Pope Francis’s
Commentary
How often do many people pretend not to see the poor! To them the poor
do not exist…. As long as Lazarus was
outside his house, the rich man had the opportunity for salvation, to thrust
open the door, to help Lazarus, but now that they are both dead, the situation
has become irreparable.
God is never called upon directly, but the
parable clearly warns:…If I do not thrust open the door of my heart to the
poor, that door remains closed even to God.
(General Audience. May 18, 2016)
Examination of
Conscience
A
big problem with mercy is that, like the rich man in the parable, we resent giving
up what we believe rightfully belongs to us.
Can
you think of instances in which you withhold mercy because it would require giving
up something you have earned to someone who has not earned it and doesn’t
deserve it?
Today’s Prayer
Divine God of
Mercy, help us always remember that you care for us as a mother cares for her
children, even when we least deserve it. Help us be merciful to others even when it
means giving up something we have earned to someone who has not earned it.
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