Homilies26th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: THE STORY OF DIVES AND LAZARUSLk 16:19-31
ST LUKE has been known as the evangelist of the poor and his gospel has been called as the gospel of the poor. Through this, we can understand better his teachings on the rich and the poor, as well as on riches and poverty. This opposition between the rich and the poor is very well reflected in today’s gospel, that is, in the story of Lazarus and Dives.
Firstly, the gospel shows the contrasting situations of the two persons in the story. On the one hand, Dives or the rich man lives in luxury, living in an epicurean way, that is, eating the best food and drinking the best wine. But he is completely separated from the world characterized by poverty. On the other hand, there is Lazarus living in want and hunger. He eats only the scraps that fell from the table of the rich man. But then their fate was reversed when both died. Lazarus, in the bosom of Abraham, now lives in comfort, while Dives, in hell, lives in torment and anguish.
Secondly, the gospel highlights the specific sin of the rich man. The rich man in the gospel is not actually portrayed as bad man. He never does something evil or harmful to Lazarus. He does not beat Lazarus, he does not kick him out of his house. In other words, the rich man has been never brutal or cruel to Lazarus, physically. But what is the sin of the rich man? It is not a sin of commission, but rather a sin of omission. The rich man was insensitive to the needs of others, in particular of Lazarus. He is not in touch with the real world. The only world he knows is his own world. He is completely ignorant of the world of the poor. Thus, insensitivity to others’ needs is a sin.
Thirdly, the story in the gospel is actually for us. We have to take note that the rich man made a request to Abraham. He said,: "Then, I beg you, father, send him (Lazarus) to my father's house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment." One priest reflected and commented, “we are the five brothers (or sisters, if you will) of Dives who are still alive.” Some people would say that the poverty in the world has never been solved because of the insensitivity of the rich. The Church has constantly reminded the affluent countries, in the name of social justice, to share their resources and wealth to the impoverished nations. But, it seems not all of them are listening. As Abraham replied, we don't need Lazarus to come down and warn us. This story is enough. We need only to come to a realization that we are brothers and sisters to each other. And thus we have the responsibility to care for each other.
I have heard of the story of a man named Albert Schweitzer. In his youth, he became a famous musical conductor and multi-millionaire in the United States. But one day he decided to leave that lucrative career in music, and instead, he studied medicine. When became a doctor, he went to Africa in order to do missionary work. I suppose until now he remains in that continent. According to him, the gospel that we heard today has influenced him to say goodbye to the music career. He reflected that there are many Lazaruses in that place who are in need of help from the Diveses. Like him, we need also to reflect further on the gospel story. How many times have we been insensitive to the plight and needs of the poor? Have we resolved to change that attitude?
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