This reflection started when I was much younger during a spiritual retreat. Randomly, I opened the Bible to a Gospel passage that would have me learning about Jesus and his teaching for the rest of my life. One retreat can do that you know. The parable was of the rich man and poor Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31).
An illustration by Gustave Doré depicting The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. Lazurus is shown lying outside the rich man's door with the dogs that would lick his wounds.
Rarely if ever does Jesus teach parables about the afterlife. In Luke’s parable, he lets us know that some people won’t listen when God is speaking to their heart. Edward McCormack, a contributing writer for America magazine, tells a tale about how important it is to teach children to comprehend ways in which we need to listen to God. McCormack is an associate professor and chair in the Christian spirituality department at Washington Theological Union, where he specializes in Ignatian spirituality.
Addressing his daughter in How God Speaks, McCormack says: “God is always with them [poor children] and loves them very much, but the people God sent to care for them, do not always listen to God.” Profound! The more I believe in the simplicity of what McCormack says, the more I will reflect on the matter.
The parable from Luke’s Gospel shows neglect, debasement, personal and social indifference to another suffering human being. The rich man goes to hell and Lazarus receives comfort in the afterlife. This gives us an immediate look into our own living conscience. We can create hell on earth, especially when we care not to listen to the kindness of our inner voice.
“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.’ ” (Luke 16:31)
As adults we too are children of God. There’s something beautiful in human nature when children and adults learn to be kind and give from their hearts. Love with CARITAS For Children brings this wonderful parable of Jesus into focus. We won’t make cruelty and indifference toward suffering a lifetime habit. That behavior calls us in this life to stop and re-examine ourselves. Our comforting love extends to children in need through donations and sponsoring care to CARITAS For Children's Catholic child sponsorship programs. Like Jesus’ story of Lazarus, we are called to reciprocate God’s love in this world. Let us hear that call today.
