Luke 16:19–31
Jesus
said to the Pharisees, “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.'”
Reflection
Listen with heart to the Gospel. Jesus does not condemn the rich, but the rich
without heart to their fellow brothers and sisters who are suffering. How would I spend my good fortune?
“If someone goes to them from the dead, they will
repent.” Have I
truly repent when I professed to believe Jesus Christ, who is the Risen Lord,
at my Baptism?