Homily Second Thursday of Lent (Lk. 16:19-31) “Do I Know Lazarus?”
Homily Second Thursday of Lent (Lk. 16:19-31) “Do I Know Lazarus?”
In the bell tower of Sacred Heart Church there is a stained-glass window that depicts the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. Lazarus rests in the bosom of Abraham and the rich man in the parable is on the other side of the window emersed in flames. He looks with great sadness at Lazarus and Lazarus looks mournfully at him.
What was the rich man’s sin? Did he go out of his way to be abusive of Lazarus? We have no evidence of that. Did he cause Lazarus’ poverty in some way? Was he the landlord that threw him out of his house? Was he an employer who fired him? Did he steal Lazarus’ property? We have no reason to think so.
What was the rich man’s sin then? His was a sin of omission. The poor man was laying outside the door of his house and the rich man did nothing to help him in his suffering. We ask the question how this wealthy man could be so callous. But there might be more to this story.
Jesus seldom names the characters in his parables. Lazarus is named. Why? It might be that Lazarus was well known to his audience. He might have been the town beggar, the guy who was addicted or mentally ill that wandered around the community asking for a few cents to get by.
He might have been the person that was given any number of chances to work but fouled up every time. And people might have looked at Lazarus and said you deserve your poverty because you can’t help yourself.
If we think of this parable from that perspective then it challenges us all. When vagrants have a name and a story, we cannot ignore them so easily unless like the rich man, the voice of our conscience has grown silent.
Reflection Questions:
- Have I felt that some people deserve their poverty? What might make me feel that way?
- Will people who are poor in this life receive greater mercy in heaven? What does that say about my heavenly reward? Or does it make a difference if we are rich or poor.
Dear Parishioners,
I have received some guidance from the diocese about our holy week celebrations. The message from the diocese is that we cannot let our guard down. We will be having Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday services, but we will continue to wear masks and keep social distance and try to observe the other protocols.
Certain practices will be curtailed. We will not come forward to kiss the cross on Good Friday for example. The pandemic is not over, and we do not want to spread the virus further.
The good news is that we will be able to gather this year and pray as a community. This should remind us that new life is coming back into our parish. The long winter is coming to an end.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over us all today.
Fr. Mark
P.S. Sign-up for Holy Week Services are posted on the website.