GOSPEL: LUKE 16:19-31
LET US BE CHARITABLE!!!
Dear friends,
The Word of God this Sunday presents to us the parable of the rich man and the poor man, Lazarus. The rich man was totally caught up in his own affairs. He dressed himself magnificently; he feasted every day sumptuously; he enjoyed a good life without any reference to Lazarus who longed for the crumbs that fell from his table. Lazarus which means “God is my helper” is the only character in any of the parables who is given a name. Even though poor and a beggar, God was his helper. Then death brought about the reversal of fortunes. Lazarus was comforted in paradise while the rich man was tormented in hell.
This parable challenges us against our tendency towards self-centered living or individualism, complacency and indifference. It is a reminder to us of our collective and personal responsibility to work for the poor, the marginalized, the rejected, the unwelcomed in our midst. It is easy to have poor people living right on our door step and yet pay no attention to them. They are simply inconveniences to us and we can learn how not to see them and how not to let them bother us.
The point of the parable is not about rewarding the poor and punishing the rich. Rather, it is about the sense of duty and responsibility that comes with what we have been given. Despite his riches, the rich man simply does not look beyond his own gate. He does not care; he does not recognize Lazarus as a fellow human being and his brother. He fails in his responsibility as the brother’s keeper.
As Christians we cannot ignore or sugar-coat the Gospel. We must allow it to challenge us in all of its power. We must never allow ourselves to become indifferent. Let us follow Jesus Christ and learn to live as He lived. Jesus Himself teaches us that the greatest commandment is to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves (CARITAS).
God Bless,
Rev. Father Frank Kyazze
