Dear Brothers and Sisters,
God is the rich one who became poor for us, so we could be rich. The rich one is the one who believes. The one who thinks of the future as we saw last week with the dishonest steward. Who are we in this gospel, the rich man or Lazarus? It is a good question for us.
Paul is telling Timothy, in the second reading, the one he ordained, that he has to fight for faith. Get hold of eternal life to which you were called and which you professed. Paul gives him a very concrete example, which was the profession of faith Jesus Christ made in front of Pilate. It was a historical event. And what did Jesus do in that moment. He was silent. In front of humiliation, he was silent. This is the truth. I will give my life for you, he said, but not with words.
Lazarus was a good man. He knew that God heard his prayers. God sent him also the dogs to give him some relief. He’s the only one in any parable who has a name, and his name means: God has helped me.
The point of the parable is not to go out and feed the homeless or give them a place to stay as important as that work of mercy is. I think God is saying something much more profound, which is notice the people that are around you. We all have a Lazarus, and we all need a Lazarus. One that God has put at your side in order to save you. Maybe it’s your spouse who has many wounds, or your son or daughter that you can’t love, that is not the way you want him/her to be. Perhaps there is one person in the office that you can’t accept, that you despise. God allowed this Lazarus in your life to save you, to help you.
What is the good news in this gospel today? Perhaps we see that we are the rich man and there is hope. Hope that I can change. That God sends you this difficult person or one that is contrary to you to teach you something.
There is a lie in this gospel that no one can cross this chasm between Lazarus and the rich man. But there is one man who did cross that abyss. That man is Jesus Christ, and he makes it possible for you and I to pass from a situation of death to life. So, rejoice today if you see you have a Lazarus. You have a chance to change, to notice Lazarus and be close to him. You can accept him with all his wounds, and his manias, and love him as he is.
It’s almost impossible to convert when we’re by ourselves. We need others around us who help us to see the truth of who we really are. So, give thanks that you have the spouse, or a child, or a situation that helps you to convert, that helps you to see that you are like this rich man, at least sometimes. He doesn’t even notice Lazarus; he didn’t do anything evil but was indifferent to those around him.
Let us receive Christ today so we can pass from death to life, so that the Lord can destroy the fear that is inside of us, so we can love the other person as they are. We can only do this when we receive the body and blood of Christ. He can help us pass over this abyss. He can help you to marry in the church, to reconcile with your spouse or your parents. He is the only one who can help you.