Chúa Giêsu cho chúng ta một bài học hôm nay đó là ‘Hãy đặt Thiên Chúa làm trọng tâm” trong cuộc sống của chúng ta. Như trong bài dụ ngôn, người giàu có đã tự đặt mình trên hết trước cả Thiên Chúa. Thiên Chúa chỉ là khoảng cách xa vời, không quan trọng đối với ông ta. Có lẽ chúng ta cũng có thể thấy được một chút “cái TÔI” của mình trong người đàn ông giàu có trong bài dụ ngôn hôm nay. Có lẽ chúng ta cũng đã đặt những thứ vật chất, danh vọng, ham muốn của chúng ta trước nghĩa vụ của chúng ta đối với Thiên Chúa và tha nhân, do đó mà bỏ quên đức bác ái.;
Jesus is advising us, in today Gospel, put him at the center of our lives. The rich man in the parable put himself first. God was distant, unimportant to him. Perhaps we can see a little of ourselves in the rich man. Perhaps we put material things ahead of our duties towards God and our neighbor, thus neglecting the virtue of charity.
The poor man, Lazarus, was in need of a great deal. He suffered much. It would seem that God had forgotten him; whereas with the rich man, it would seem that God heaped blessing upon blessing on him. However, the poor man had one thing: his salvation. He hoped in God alone. What else could he depend on? This is not to suggest that we give up the necessities of life, but it goes to show us that in the end, only one thing matters: put ting God at the center of our lives.
Today's Gospel reminds us that in order to gain the Kingdom of God, we need to turn to Jesus in complete dependence. It should be our one desire to be with Jesus and also want to bring to him as many other souls as possible. Let us make the effort to work hard to do all the good possible and to share Jesus' love with all those whom we meet on the road of life. Let us be Jesus' untiring apostle.
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.” Luke 16:19–21
One of the reasons this story is so powerful is because of the clear descriptive contrast between the rich man and Lazarus. The contrast is not only seen in the passage above, it is also seen in the final outcome of each of their lives.
In the first contrast, the rich man’s life seems much more desirable, at least on the surface. He is rich, has a home to live in, dresses in fine clothing and eats sumptuously every day. By contrast, Lazarus is poor, has no home, has no food, is covered with sores and even endures the humiliation of dogs licking his wounds. Which of these persons would you prefer to be?
Before you answer that question, consider the second contrast. When they both die, they experience very different eternal fates. When the poor man died, he was “carried away by angels.” And when the rich man died, he went to the netherworld, where there was ongoing torment. So again, which of these persons would you prefer to be?
One of the most seductive and deceptive realities in life is the lure of riches, luxury and the fine things in life. Though the material world is not bad in and of itself, there is great temptation that goes along with it. In fact, it is clear from this story and from the many other teachings of Jesus on this topic that the lure of riches and its effect on the soul cannot be ignored. Those who are rich in the things of this world are often tempted to live for themselves rather than living for others. When one has all the comforts this world has to offer, it’s easy to simply enjoy those comforts without concern for others. And that is clearly the unspoken contrast between these two men. Though poor, it is clear that Lazarus is rich in the things that matter in life. This is evidenced by His eternal reward. It is clear that in his material poverty, he was rich in charity. The man who was rich in the things of this world was clearly poor in charity and, thus, upon losing his physical life, he had nothing to take with him. No eternal merit. No charity. Nothing.
Reflect, today, upon that which you desire in life. Too often, the deception of material wealth and worldly possessions dominate our desires. In fact, even those who have little can easily become consumed with these unhealthy desires. Seek, instead, to desire only that which is eternal. Desire love of God and love of neighbor. Make this your only goal in life and you, too, will be carried away by angels when your life is completed.
My Lord of true riches, You chose to be poor in this world as a sign to us that true riches come not with material wealth but with love. Help me to love You, my God, with all my being and to love others as You love them. May I be wise enough to make spiritual riches my single goal in life so that these riches will be enjoyed for all eternity. Jesus, I trust in You.
1. Reward and Punishment: The prophet Jeremiah reminds us that we will be rewarded or punished according to the way we live our lives. The rich man in the Gospel is indifferent to the sufferings of Lazarus. Instead of loving God above all things, the rich man trusts solely in his human strength and power. Although he is rich and has many material possessions, he reveals himself to be barren. He is barren, like a bush in the desert, and empty, like salted earth or a lava waste. Because his life is not anchored in God, he is like chaff that the wind drives away. Ultimately, the rich man’s indifference to God and others brings upon himself the curse of eternal separation from God. Lazarus, on the other hand, is blessed. Despite his hunger, suffering, and material want in this life, he continues to place his trust and hope in the Lord. He is not consumed by fear, because he knows that God is at his side. Lazarus is like a tree that is firmly rooted in the ground, with deep roots that reach the waters of life. Lazarus perseveres in difficult times because his security is not in things that pass away, but in God who is always faithful.
2. Rich and Poor: The Gospel teaches us that, if we are materially rich, we are called to be good administrators of wealth who seek to alleviate the sufferings of the poor. United to the vine of Christ, all Christians rich and poor, are called to bear much fruit – thirty, sixty, and one hundredfold. All people, including the rich, are called to store up heavenly treasures and to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to their brothers and sisters. Those who are blessed with earthly wealth should make sure that their prayer is one of thanksgiving for the benefits received. As well, they should ask especially for the virtue of prudence so that they use their goods wisely on behalf of the poor. If, however, we are materially poor, we should not complain about our situation, but rather place our trust in God and work to better our situation as we are able.
3. The Responsibility of Caring for Christ in the Poor: Jeremiah points out that it is difficult to understand the human heart. This is because the heart is the inner sanctuary where man and God meet. It is the place of encounter where we mysteriously decide for or against God. As Jesus’ disciples, we are called to prefer Jesus to everything and everyone. Detachment from riches and love for neighbor are obligatory for entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. Christ calls us to sell all that we have, give generously to the poor, and follow him. What we do for the least of our brethren, we do for Christ. Not only are we called to serve the poor, but we are called to be poor and be detached from the things of this passing world.
Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, help me to see your face in the poor. Move my heart to have compassion on those who need my help. Do not let me be indifferent to you and the needs of my brothers and sisters.
Resolution: One of the three practices of Lent is almsgiving. This Lent, how have I used the wealth I have on behalf of the poor? What changes do I need to make? What is God asking me to be detached from?
Opening Prayer:
Lord, help me in this prayer to open my heart more and more to you so that I may begin to open it to others. They are your children. Help me to love them as you do.
Encountering Christ:
1. Life Is Good!: The rich man enjoyed life. He had the finest clothes and the best foods. He had lots of money and he used it for his own benefit. Remember, the Jews believed that if a man was righteous, God would bless him with riches, health, and many other benefits. Perhaps this man was at peace, thinking that God had been pleased by the way he lived. Yet at his gate, there was someone who should have stolen his peace away.
We hear people say that life is a journey. People who say this have a point. Our life on earth ends when we die: an eternity follows. In the context of an eternity, our life on earth seems microscopic in the grand scheme of things. And yet our eternity depends upon our life on earth.
We can compare it to going to another country to work. What you do there and how well you do will determine the type of welcome and reception when you return home. Did you do well in your work? Did your work in the other country help to secure your future and that of your family? Were you rewarded for work well done or were your employers not satisfied with your work?
It is the same with our life. We can consider our life as work outside of our heavenly and permanent home. In truth we are just transients, sort of passing through. When our life ends, like a contract in a foreign country, we will be judged on how we have been and on what we have accomplished. How we have been and what we have done in our lifetime will determine our eternity: reward or punishment.
The parable of the rich man and the poor man Lazarus is a lesson and a warning for us. As Abraham told the rich man, they have Moses and the prophets and indeed Christ himself. Do not say that we have not been taught and warned.
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