So let’s get to the heart of the matter. Will you go to hell just because you are rich? This seems to be the only ‘fault’ of Dives in Luke 16:25. Incidentally, Dives, which means ‘rich’ in Latin, is a name given to him traditionally. So while Dives is faulted because he is rich, Lazarus, which ironically means ‘God has helped’ and perhaps the only name that Jesus gives to anyone in the parables, is in heaven merely because he is wretched, starving and a sore covered pauper. This seems to be so odd balled, to say the least!
Let us understand the mind of Luke who is our gospel writer. Luke’s gospel has an unabashed ‘option for the poor’ and a condemnation for the love for money, plastered all over it; from the widow’s coin and the inheritance of the Prodigal son in chapter 15, to the dishonest manager’s handling of debts. In the Sermon on the Plain, it is the poor who are given the Kingdom of God with a warning to the rich and to those whose bellies are full (6: 24-25) The mandate of Christ is “to bring good news to the poor” (4:18; also 7:22). And then there are the warnings to us; who do we invite to our parties? Are they “the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind (14:13)? “
“the love of money is the root of all evil”.
Jesus is clear, if they are attached to their wealth, the rich will tend to have more difficulty entering the kingdom of God.
God blesses us with wealth so that we share it;
👆 this is one of the ways (key) to enter heaven.. as our Fr. Warner says that his job is to help us to go to heaven☺
“the love of money is the root of all evil”.
Jesus is clear, if they are attached to their wealth, the rich will tend to have more difficulty entering the kingdom of God.
God blesses us with wealth so that we share it;
👆 this is one of the ways (key) to enter heaven.. as our Fr. Warner says that his job is to help us to go to heaven🙂
❤❤❤❤
Guess its the pressure of the modern world to store wealth not knowing what is in store for tomorow..
Will we ever be able to give up our money to others ???
I still dont know ..as i too am worried about what is in store for me and my family in the future..
Super. Loved this bit
‘Stick your head out of your cell phone, look around and seek a Lazarus. Our mobile phones are preventing us from seeing the Lazarus’ on the streets today, more than ever. Look for the gates that divide us and tear them down.’
What about people who have aspirations and passion and the only factor that pushes them is money and their American dream so that they can contribute to the world later but the process of reaching their is not easy its hard and u land up doing a lot of things in that process where u ignore a Lazarus are we still gonna be blamed at the gates of heaven…
Pope Francis reflectin gon St Ignatius’ words answers this beautifully. If you have something to give, give something. I understand where you are coming from, your desire to achieve in order to give and perhaps give abundantly. For the time being the widow’s mite is a great beginning. Perhaps all ‘ your Lazarus’ needs is just a fraction of what you have. God bless you for asking what perhaps might be in the minds of many.
Beautiful reflection father. A very clear idea about having wealth not being directly related to being a BAD person but the attachment to wealth that takes away our focus on God. Thank you and God bless.
Beautiful…..love the image associated with the text…
Thanku for the insight Fr.
Such a lovely explanation! 😊
God blesses us with wealth so that we share it!
This post inspires me so much to look around and seek a Lazarus.
Thank you father for dedicating this to us parishioners of St. Judes❤️
Mentioned the facts very clearly. A clean difference brought out within the thought and the believe about riches…
Thank you ……A genuine effort to Break the Word in such a beautiful way.
Am I conscious of the consumerist mentality that surrounds me*. Let us ponder on the message for today and record in our *Lenten Journal* how we can *devote more time to those things that bring genuine satisfaction in our life such as prayer, relationships and assisting others.*
Very Nice Reflection Father.Having money and wealth doesn’t make us rich But sharing wealth with needy and poor,That’s really makes us rich in the eyes of God,Just like Zacchaeus did.Even in Bible Jesus said in Matthew 6:24″ No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”
Beautifully explained Fr. Warner. Enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed reading the honest reflections of your parishoners..
Beautiful Reflection Fr. It tells us to share our little wealth with those who are in need. Loved the line Written dedicated to my parishioners of St. Jude who being poor are rich ❤Because even I was a parishioner and it means a lot to me .