There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. 20 And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. 22 When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’ 25 Abraham replied, ‘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. 26 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.’ 27 He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ He said, 30 ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 31 Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.
In this parable, the beggar had a name, but the rich man was not given a name. The rich man was well clothed and dined luxuriously, while Lazarus was naked, sick and hungry (vv. 19-21). The rich man died and went to the netherworld, but the poor man died and was carried to Abraham’s bosom, i.e. given a place of honor at the heavenly banquet. The rich man had received his consolation while on earth; “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation (Lk. 6:24).” The roles were reversed. The rich man was now an outsider suffering torment in Hades, while Lazarus was now an insider participating in God’s love and joy in the kingdom of heaven. Lazarus was an example of the Beatitude, “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours (Lk. 6:20; v. 22).”
The rich man, even though in Hades, still viewed himself as superior to Lazarus. He addressed Abraham as Father Abraham but looked down on Lazarus who was now the guest of honor at the heavenly banquet and treated him like an errand boy. He addressed Lazarus by name, so he had been aware that it was Lazarus at his gate to whom he had shown no compassion; “Is it not sharing your bread with the hungry, bringing the afflicted and the homeless into your house; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own flesh (Is. 58:7; v. 24)?' (v. 24). Abraham informed the rich man that there were great obstacles preventing him from attending the heavenly banquet (vv. 25-26).
The rich man was not contrite or repentant and asked Abraham to send Lazarus to his father’s house to warn his five brothers who were living self-centered lives of dissipation and would share his fate unless they changed their ways (vv. 27-28). Abraham told the rich man that his brothers should listen to the Law and the prophets (v. 29). The rich man then wanted Abraham to send someone from the dead to them, but Abraham responded, “If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead (vv. 30-31). This was a reference by Luke to the risen Lord.
Almighty God, fill our hearts with humility, compassion, and love that we may live according to your Son’s teaching. Help us to see our failings and come before you with contrite hearts to receive your forgiveness so that one day we may be welcomed at your heavenly banquet. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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