LAZARUS AND THE RICH MAN (Heaven and Hell)
Jeremiah 17:5–10; Psalm 1; Luke 16:19–31
Wealth should not make us indifferent to the plight and dignity of human life. The rich man in today’s gospel reading was condemned because, in his riches, he was indifferent to the situation of Lazarus—what Catechism would call sin of omission. Wealth is not a crime, but God desires our souls to be saved (3 John 1:2), so use wealth judiciously.
Again, we must not put our trust in riches, for they cannot save us. The first reading says, “A curse on the man who puts his trust in man and turns from the Lord” (Jer. 17:5). What is our hope? Jeremiah says, “Happy is the man who has placed his trust in the Lord” (Jer. 17:7). Beloved, trust in God, and be happy both now and forever.
Lastly, today’s gospel (Luke 16:19–31) teaches about the reality of heaven and hell. Are we still in doubt about this truth? Today’s gospel says, “If they don’t believe the scriptures, they won’t believe, even if someone should rise from the dead to preach to them.” Hell is a departure from God. Matt. 25:41–42 says, “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”
On the other hand, heaven is a prepared place for prepared people—a place of eternal union. In John 14:2, Jesus says, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” During this period and always, let’s prepare for heaven through selflessness, charity, prayers, and abstinence.
Let us pray
O God, who delights in innocence and restores it, direct the hearts of your servants to yourself so that, caught up in the fire of your Spirit, we may be found steadfast in faith and effective in works. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
