The Gospel for SATURDAY, May 28, 2005
Luke 16:19-31
‘There was a rich man who used to dress in purple and fine linen and feast magnificently every day. And at his gate there used to lie a poor man called Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to fill himself with what fell from the rich man’s table. Even dogs came and licked his sores. Now it happened that the poor man died and was carried away by the angels into Abraham’s embrace. The rich man also died and was buried. ‘In his torment in Hades he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off with Lazarus in his embrace. So he cried out, “Father Abraham, pity me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames.” Abraham said, “My son, remember that during your life you had your fill of good things, just as Lazarus his fill of bad. Now he is being comforted here while you are in agony. But that is not all: between us and you a great gulf has been fixed, to prevent those who want to cross from our side to yours or from your side to ours.” ‘So he said, “Father, I beg you then to send Lazarus to my father’s house, since I have five brothers, to give them warning so that they do not come to this place of torment too.” Abraham said, “They have Moses and the prophets, let them listen to them.” The rich man replied, “Ah no, father Abraham, but if someone comes to them from the dead, they will repent.” Then Abraham said to him, “If they will not listen either to Moses or to the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone should rise from the dead.” -- The New Jerusalem Bible. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1995, c1985
A Study
The meaning of the parable is relatively clear. The first part illustrates the blessedness of the poor believer and the woe of the unbelieving rich. This reversal of roles between this life and the next was well-known in Egyptian and Jewish folklore, and Jesus may have borrowed some of the material for his parable from such folklore. Such a reversal fits well Jesus’ teaching and Luke’s emphasis concerning riches. See Introduction. The second part of the parable teaches that unbelief and the refusal to repent are not the results of lack of evidence (or lack of a sign) but due to a stony heart. -- Stein, R. H. (2001, c1992). Vol. 24: Luke. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
A Reflection
Jesus continues in his advertising that rejection of the One Sent by the Creator is a continuation of Israel's ongoing rejection of Him.
We who have recently been reminded of the Paraclete's indwelling in us, at our request only, need mindfully to recall that grace will allow us to be grateful receivers.
A Collect
O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we through his poverty might be rich: Deliver us, we pray thee from an inordinate love of this world, that we may serve thee with singleness of heart, and attain to the riches of the age to come; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
2:15:45 PM 
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