Why this homily matters?
The story of Lazarus and the Rich Man should be a challenging one for any of us who have a comfortable life. Do we eat too much? Similarly, how much money do we spend on vanity products or other selfish conceits? Are we doing enough for the poor – really? We need to let this story bug us. Just like the grit in an oyster from which a pearl is formed, it could produce something beautiful in us.
Key Points
The Mission of the Church
Pope Benedict XVI said the Church does 3 essential things. It worships God, it evangelizes, and finally, it cares for the poor. Successive Popes emphasized each of those differently. Up and down the centuries, this has been the case for the Church. For example, John Paul II emphasized evangelization. On the other hand, Benedict XVI emphasized worshiping God.
When Pope Francis became pope, Cardinal Claudio Hummes mentioned something to him. His good friend said, “don’t forget the poor”. And indeed Pope Francis has made caring for the poor a focus of his papacy. He wants a poor Church on behalf of the poor.
So many of our past Church leaders have focused on the poor:
- Mother Teresa (St Teresa of Calcutta)
- St Vincent de Paul
- Dorothy Day
- St Martín de Porres
- St Francis of Assisi
- John Chrysostom
- St Ambrose of Milan…
It all comes from the Bible. The Bible is unique in the way it calls to account our leaders. Anyone in political and economic leadership who uses their power to abuse others.
A Warning from the Prophet Amos to the Well Off
The prophet Amos is especially good at calling out those who oppress the poor. He was therefore a favorite of Martin Luther King.
Woe to those who are complacent in Zion,
Those who lie on beds of ivory, and lounge upon their couches;
Who drink wine from bowls, and anoint themselves with the best oils,
but are not made ill by the collapse of Joseph;
Amos is speaking to those of us who are well off. Are those of us who are comfortable in life challenged by these words? Moreover, are we aware of those around us who are poor?
Do we eat and drink too much? Likewise, how much money do we spend on vanity products in our medicine cabinet? In the collapse of Joseph, he is referencing the fall of Israel to the north (which the Kingdom of Judea ignored). Similarly, are we aware of the suffering around us?
Lazarus and the Rich Man
The reading from Amos should bother us. Similarly, the Gospel story of Lazarus and the Rich Man (aka Lazarus and Dives) should too.
Notice that the rich man is not named. In the ancient world just as today, who was named? It was the rich and the powerful in society. On the other hand, who was not mentioned in society? The poor people and those on the margins of society. No one cares about them.
This reversal is very interesting. The poor man is named – Lazarus but the rich man is not. This is the revolutionary aspect of the Bible.
The rich man during his life leads a very comfortable life. He passes by Lazarus every day and ignores him.
On their deaths, Lazarus is carried to Heaven. The rich man is carried downward to Hell.
This story is a close mirror of Matthew 25 and the story of the last judgment. Therein, people are separated into goats and sheep. Whatsoever you did to the least of my brothers you did unto me.
It should bug all of us about whether we are doing enough for the poor.
A pearl is formed in an oyster by a piece of grit that enters it. Perhaps something beautiful can be formed around these thoughts that bug us. But only if they call in us a change in our lives.
We need more compassion.
Concrete Action is Required
Bishop Barron tells the story of Cardinal George who spoke to some wealthy donors one day. He was there to thank them and did. But he also added, “The poor need you to stay out of poverty. But you need the poor to stay out of hell.” It’s not the type of message we are used to hearing.
The poor benefit us in the measure that they call from us generosity.
The rich man begs Abraham to send someone to his brothers. He begs that they might not end up in the same predicament. But he is told that they have the prophets and even if someone should rise from the dead, they still would not listen. We Christians know that someone did rise from the dead. Jesus the Risen Christ has been this presence in our lives for the last 2000 years. Do we listen?
We need to try to make our actions concrete. Dorothy Day offers us some guidance. Specifically, we need to familiarize ourselves with the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.
Corporal Works of Mercy
1. To feed the hungry.
2. To give drink to the thirsty.
…
Everything a baptized Catholic does should be related to these works of mercy. Our actions should be either directly or indirectly related to these.
As part of this we should be tithing. We should budget 10% of our incomes for the poor and the Church. Setting a concrete target is helpful. We should also keep money in our pocket so that we can give to those who are in immediate need.
In conclusion, let the story of Lararus and the Rich Man bug you into action.
Suggested Homily
Scripture References
Amos 6:1a, 4-7
Luke 16:19-31