Luke 16:19-31

19“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his g ate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. 24 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.’ 25 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. 26 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.’ 27 He said, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ 30 He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 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.’”

Investing in Afterlife

The Gospels often tell us about influential religious groups in Israel during the second temple period (516 BC-70 AD) that Jesus had to deal with during His earthly life. Three major groups, the Pharisees, the Scribes and the Sadducees, are often mentioned as trying to strip the public of their trust in Jesus or to trap Him with a word or an act.

Being a Pharisee was a religious commitment to Moses' law and interpreting that law, a refusal of the Roman occupation, seeking Israel's independence, and waiting for the Messiah to liberate Israel.

The scribes were known for their technical skills. They prepared all kinds of agreements related to marriage, inheritance, selling and buying property, etc. They insisted on the necessity to conform to the principles of the Moses' law.

The Sadducees were more interested in financial gain and comfortable living under any ruler. They did not believe in angels or life after this world.

Jesus, who does not exclude anybody, loves all of them and would like them to accept Him as Redeemer and Savior for all humans. His teaching included preaching, miracles, signs and parables.

Today's Gospel is a message for the Sadducees and all those who forget to invest in their eternal life. What do we learn from this parable that we have heard many times?

God loves everyone, the rich and the poor. He expects the rich to remember where their wealth comes from and how to use it for good by enjoying a reasonable life and sharing with others.
The wealthy should never look down upon those who are less rich or on the poor because they are poor. They are to deal with human beings, not with their financial condition.
Consider God's word in Scripture as the true way that leads to life, the life waiting for all humans after this earthly life.

Reflect about how God gives humans time to reconsider the need to return to themselves and to Him before it's too late. As long as humans live on earth, God waits for them as a father waits for His sons and daughters to return home safe and sound. After death it is too late.

The rich man in the parable doesn't see Lazarus lying hungry at his gate. He doesn't even ask him directly to hydrate his lips, instead he asks Abraham to order Lazarus to. Selfish behavior on earth ignores or despises others and focuses only on one’s own needs.

He also asks Abraham to send Lazarus to his brothers to warn them about their fate and to repent before it's too late. This would be directly from a man coming from the dead to deliver an important message that the rich man and his brothers denied in their daily life.

Abraham reminds us of the "way, the truth and the life" to be found in Scripture, and practiced in this life.

This Gospel is certainly one of the most needed in our time, inviting us to think about this ephemeral life and the eternal one. Once we realize that today prepares for tomorrow, we need to ask ourselves what we treasure for God's tomorrow?

The Scriptures urge us to invest in our eternal life. Let us pray for all the faithful to listen to the Lord's voice and love.