Word to the Wise
Thursday, March 24, 2011 - 2nd Week of Lent - Thurs
[Jer 17:5-10 and Luke 16:19-31]My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours....
A superficial reading of this parable would seem to say that it is good to be miserable in this life and bad to be comfortable, but that is not the meaning of the story. It is true that the Gospel of Luke speaks strongly about the dangers of material possessions, but it also exhorts those who are materially well-off to be generous with their bounty. This seems to be at the root of the story of the Rich Man ("Dives") and Lazarus. In the society of Jesus' time, there was a belief that the amount of wealth available was finite and some had more of it than others. It was the duty of those who had more to share with those who had less. In this story it is clear that the Rich Man failed in that duty. Lazarus received nothing from him, not even the scraps from the table. It is not certain that the Rich Man was even aware of Lazarus, although Lazarus was at his very doorstep. The physical closeness of Lazarus is contrasted with the spiritual distance that results - "a great chasm." The implication of the story is that if that chasm exists in this life, it will exist in the next life but the fortunes will be irrevocably turned!
The effect of Dives' possessions was to blind him to the presence of Lazarus on his doorstep. This blindness can be so complete that not even something as spectacular as a resurrection from the dead would pierce the darkness. Dives had Moses and the prophets to guide him in caring for the poor. If he didn't pay heed to them, he would not pay heed to anything else. The more important awareness is the one that makes one aware of the needs of those who suffer from hunger, thirst, homelessness, imprisonment - all the beggars at the door of our society or even our own homes. However, awareness alone will not suffice. It is the direct sharing of one's material resources that is required. The important thing is not to allow that "great chasm" to come into existence.
Lent offers the opportunity not simply to fast, or even to give the money saved by fasting to charity, but to examine our "awareness." Are we aware of the poor only in Lent? Do we share only 40 days a year? Do we share at all? What would it take to make us aware? We already have Jesus' teaching and the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus. If that doesn't convince us, what will? AMEN
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