Word to the Wise
Thursday, March 12, 2020 - 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 or from your side to ours.' [Luke]
The parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man (tradition calls him "Dives," which means, literally, "rich") can be a very sobering one to ponder. The "chasm" that Abraham speaks of was being built while Lazarus was sitting outside the front door of Dives' house!! One might say that the front door became the chasm. In the end, the roles are reversed, but then it is too late. Dives is left outside forever to suffer.
Dives lived in a lifestyle "bubble" that kept him from being aware of Lazarus. Recently I mentioned the example of my Dominican brother, the now-deceased Archbishop of Louisville, Thomas Kelly, OP. When he became archbishop he ordered the cathedral rectory to move the door of assistance back around to the front of the house so that people passing by would see those who were coming. His comment to me when he told me about this was, "No one likes to see the faces of the poor."
In Lent, we can ask ourselves about our "front doors" or the enclosed security of our lifestyle bubbles. Who is sitting outside? Are we afraid to see and help? Are we creating a chasm that will leave us outside in the end? Jesus offers us some pretty challenging questions. AMEN