The vivid details in Jesus’ parable in today’s Gospel create a sharp contrast between the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man lived in luxury, while Lazarus lived in poverty. The rich man dined sumptuously, while Lazarus ate scraps off the ground. The rich man was clothed in fine linen, while Lazarus was clothed in sores. The rich man enjoyed the company of his father and five brothers, while Lazarus lay in the company of dogs licking at his sores.
In death, their situations are reversed. Lazarus is comforted, while the rich man suffers. Only then does he raise his eyes to see Lazarus. He cries out for a drop of water from the one he ignored his whole life. In desperation, he begs for his brothers to be warned to repent, lest they, too, end up in torment. It is all too little, too late.
If only, in his life, the rich man had paid attention to Lazarus, suffering and in need at his door. If only he had listened to the word of God, calling through the prophets, to not live selfishly and trample upon the poor. If only he had cared for others beyond himself. If only.
Have we yet fully realized that the things we rely on for support and fulfillment – wealth, power, pleasure, to name a few – are fleeting, temporary? We can’t take any of them to eternity with us.
Jesus does not share this parable to “threaten us” with eternal torment, but to offer a moral exhortation that what we do in this life matters – there are eternal consequences to our actions. What he wants is for us to learn to love as he loves, especially in showing mercy and generosity, and not being indifferent to the plight of those less fortunate and in need. In so doing, we conform ourselves more to him, opening the way to an eternity of riches.
Every Eucharist is an opportunity to return to God, to repent and accept the mercy he offers through the sacrifice of his only Son. With his grace, we go from this place to be his hands of mercy in the world – loving as he loved – that one day we might share in his eternal reward.
(Fr. Michał Pająk, OMI, Sept. 28, 2025)
