A rich man... a poor man named Lazarus
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The name Lazarus is an abbreviation of Eleazar (‘God helps’) and appears, aside from the Lucan parable of the rich man and Lazarus, in the Johannine Gospel. In John’s Gospel, there is a Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary, the “beloved” of Jesus whom he raises from the dead (11:1-44).
Interestingly, in the Gospel parable, Luke speaks of the request for Lazarus to come back to life, but then the Jews would not be persuaded even if Lazarus should rise from the dead. Probably there was a popular story of a certain Lazarus raised from the dead which the evangelists Luke and John developed into distinct stories. However, Luke consistently highlights the plight of the poor.
For him, discipleship is synonymous with service and naturally gives rise to a desire to attend to the needy. More than the other evangelists, he emphasizes the danger of power and riches. It is important to stress, nevertheless, that it is not his wealth that causes the rich man’s condemnation. It is his uncaring attitude in the face of Lazarus’ misery that makes him unworthy of God’s dwelling place. He fails to see the face of Jesus in the suffering man at his door.
On the last day, he and his brothers will be told by Jesus: “Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me” (Mt 25:45).
Gospel • Luke 16:19-31
Jesus said to the Pharisees: “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.
When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and 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.
Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’ He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.’
But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.’ ”
Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.