Rich Man, Poor Man

The Gospel today (Lk. 16:19-31), gives us images of two extremely different persons: one rich, and the other poor. The rich man dined everyday and feasted everyday. While the poor man, named Lazarus, covered with sores, is already enough to eat the scraps falling from the rich man's table. Then they both died. As their lives end, our lessons begin.

Two points: Give and Endure.

Being rich or being poor does not guarantee us Heaven. What we do with our richness or poverty, and the grace that accompanies such states, determines it. If God has given us more, more is required from us. From the rich man, we learned the importance of being productive and of giving, which he had not done. Being able to produce and to give. The Gospel says that Lazarus was just lying at the rich man's gate; and yet, the rich man wasn't even able to give Lazarus anything. Doing nothing bad is good. As well, doing nothing good is bad. We have to work with our brothers and sisters. Not just to work for them; but to work with them. (To help and work with the poor, click here.)

The rich man is supposed to be in purple. Hehe. (cf. Lk. 16:19)

I believe that Lazarus was able to be in the presence of Abraham's bosom not because he was poor nor because of his sores, which the dogs lick, nor the scraps he eat. Rather, he was able to enjoy the comfort of Abraham for eternity, I believe, simply because he endured. He endured the pain of his sores. He endured the company, not of men, but of dogs. He endured just having scraps as meal. Lazarus endured; and he endured up to the very end.

What is important is that we give until there is nothing to give; and in becoming empty, we learn to endure. Enduring, not with the little that we have, but with the enough that we have. How do we do this? The First Reading (Jer. 17:5-10) teaches us:

" ... Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is in the LORD. He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It fears not the heat when it comes, it leaves stays green; In the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit. ... " (Jer. 17:7-8)

In the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit--produce (give) and endure--because it has trusted in the LORD.

As the Reading that we have in the Afternoon's Liturgy of the Hours (or Divine Office) from Hebrews 10:35-36 affirms us: "Continue to have confidence, since the reward is so great. You will need endurance to do God's will and gain what he has promised." (Jerusalem Bible).

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Ave Maria
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you;
blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Most Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.
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