Catechism Links[1]
CCC 1939-1942: human solidarity
CCC 2437-2449: solidarity among nations; love for poor
CCC 2831: hunger in world; solidarity; prayer
CCC 633, 1021, 2463, 2831: Lazarus
CCC 1033-1037: Hell
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| Dives and Lazarus by Veronese Bonifacio, 1540 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Amos 6:1a, 4-7
Commentary on Am 6:1a, 4-7
In his “Third Woe,” the Prophet Amos warns his own people in the south, through his criticism of the rich and complacent people of the northern kingdom. The Assyrians have already started their aggression, and it is clear that their neighbors have not heeded this threat. The broader message is to remain vigilant and faithful.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 146:7, 8-9, 9-10
R. (1b) Praise the Lord, my soul!
or:
R. Alleluia.
Commentary on Ps 146:7, 8-9, 9-10
In this hymn of praise, we find the historical view of God’s attributes as envisioned by the Hebrew people. The psalmist catalogues the mercy of God’s salvation (sight to the blind, raises those who were bowed down [the oppressed]) using imagery borrowed by the Prophets and much later by Gospel authors as well.
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Reading II: 1 Timothy 6:11-16
Commentary on 1 Tm 6:11-16
St. Paul exhorts Timothy to the absolute faithfulness demanded by his position. He concludes this exhortation with what appears to be part of a liturgical prayer from the period. It is most likely that the commandment he speaks of is the requirement to keep God first in his life. The passage concludes with an eloquent liturgical profession or doxology of faith in the Savior.
CCC: 1 Tm 6:12 2145
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Gospel: Luke 16:19-31
Commentary on Lk 16:19-31
The story of Lazarus and the Rich Man is found only in the Gospel of Luke (The name "Dives," applied to the rich man derives from the Latin word "rich" originating in the Vulgate from "Homo quidam erat dives, qui induebatur purpura et bysso, et epulabatur quotidie splendide," some ancient texts name him "Nineveh"[5]). Jesus addresses this story to the Pharisees who were known to be fond of money. In this context we need to understand that all Jewish landowners were considered to be tenants of Yahweh, the true landowner, and they all owed a tax to God’s representatives, the poor.
The rich man’s great sin was ignoring the suffering of Lazarus, and when they both had passed from this life to the next, the rich man, suffering torment, begged Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his brothers. The “punchline” that follows must have been especially harsh for the Pharisaic audience. "If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead." This last statement, of course, is also alluding to his own rejection by the scribes and Pharisees even after his own resurrection.
CCC: Lk 16:23-27 2615; Lk 16:24 2615, 2815; Lk 16:26 2815; Lk 16:28 661, 2795
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Reflection:
We should be constantly reminded that we live in one of the wealthiest societies on earth, and as such, the Parable of Dives and Lazarus should be one of great import to us. We suspect that if the Lord came to us in judgment today, he might say: “I see that you have been somewhat generous with your wealth, but your motives are suspect.”
The Gospel call to “love one another” has a special focus on the poor. As we were reminded recently, the poor can be classified that way for reasons that go beyond the monetary. There are those who are poor in spirit, the old and forgotten, the homebound, and chronically ill. Mother Theresa, when she visited this country a number of years ago, said she had not seen real poverty until she visited us. Here she found the true poverty of the spirit in the lonely. We do not have to look to the developing world to find the poor.
And what does the Lord demand of us? We who are rich, rich in spirit, full of the knowledge of God’s love, overflowing with the friendship of Jesus in the faith community that is his risen and living body, we are called to share what we have been given. In a land where monetary wealth is so prevalent, it is too easy to write a check. We are called to reach out with something much more valuable, our time and ourselves.
The story of Lazarus and Dives we are given again today should remind us that the very comfort of our pews should be a warning. If we are filled to overflowing with life and love, we need to share that abundance with those who have less. If we do not know how, we should seek out a mechanism that allows us to do so. At a very minimum we should pray constantly for the less fortunate, that God in his mercy will give them comfort and peace in this world and the next.
Pax
[1] Catechism links are taken from the Homiletic Directory, Published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 29 June 2014
[2] The Picture today is Dives and Lazarus by Veronese Bonifacio, 1540
[5] "Lazarus and the Rich Man" Notes © 1996, 1999, 2002 by T.L. Hubeart
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