Christ's Distressing and Challenging Disguise

by Fr. Roger J. Landry - February 24, 2005

Gospel Passage

Luke 16:19 "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. 24 He called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on 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.' 25 But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. 26 Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.' 27 He said, 'Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father's house — 28 for I have five brothers — that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.' 29 Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.' 30 He said, 'No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' 31 He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'"

Brief Commentary

Jesus says that when he comes at the end of time to judge the living and dead, he will separate us into two groups.

To those who are saved, he will say, "'Come, inherit the kingdom. For I was hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, ill and in prison…' and you took care of me."

To those who are condemned, Jesus will say, "'Depart from me, you accursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels,' for in my need, you didn't lift a finger to help me" (cf. Mt 25:31-46).

Jesus did not give us an exhaustive list of charitable deeds, but said that whatever we do or fail to do to the least of his brothers and sisters, we do, or fail to do, to Him. He takes everything we do to another personally.

The rich man who ignored the starving Lazarus at his gate ignored Christ and was sent eternally to Christ's left.

He had failed "to listen to Moses and the Prophets," through whom God reminded the Israelites that they once were poor and therefore had to love the poor in their midst.

The Rich Man didn't speak ill of others or physically harm them. But he was too absorbed in himself to love them.

Today Christ awaits each of us somewhere in Lazarus' disguise.

Father Roger J. Landry is pastor of St. Anthony of Padua in New Bedford, MA and Executive Editor of The Anchor, the weekly newspaper of the Diocese of Fall River.