The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus from the Gospel of Luke 16:19-31 is well worth the read. Jesus challenges us through parables such as these. For many in Jesus’ time who were followers of the God of Abraham, they believed that those who had wealth and status in society did so, for the most part, because they were blessed by God. When the rich man and the beggar, Lazarus, die, I am sure Jesus paused to allow his listeners to imagine what would happen to these two men. Many would not have predicted what happened next.

Lazarus was taken up “by angels to the bosom of Abraham” (Lk 16:22). The rich man found himself suffering from the torment of flames, such that he was parched, begging just for a drop of water from Lazarus (cf. Lk 16:23-24). Abraham, the model of faith and father of Judaism, was not sitting with the rich man, who must have always been seated at the highest places in his day, but now that seat, at the bosom of Abraham, was offered to Lazarus. There was no hope at this moment for the rich man to cross over because of the wide chasm that separated them. An ironic subtlety was afoot as well in Jesus’ telling of the parable to the Pharisees. Lazarus the poor beggar is named, whereas the rich man is not.

How does the rich man come to this state of suffering and separation? This is the life he lived prior to his death. He walked over or by Lazarus day after day not giving him even a second look. Lazarus would have been grateful even for the mere scraps that fell from this rich man’s table, much like the rich man now sought just a drop of water from the finger of Lazarus. The rich man committed the root offense from which sprouts much of our sin; he failed to bother, to care, to love his brother, to will his good.

Jesus’ parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, echoes very closely Matthew 25:40, “whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.” How we treat others matters. Failing to care, to reach out to those in need around us is sinful. We, probably like those who first heard this parable, experience time and again, a wicked mind storm that swirls with reasons, rationalizations, and justifications as to why we do not reach out to help others. The majority, if any, are not valid. We are invited to give and to love joyfully from a natural, not a hesitant disposition, to provide aid and support.

Almsgiving is one of the three pillars of Lent. The first step in giving of our time, talent, or treasure is to be people of prayer. Spending time with God helps us to know him, his will, and his voice and we will then grow to see him in all things and all people. As we experience, rest, and abide in his love and come to know his voice, we will be more apt to say, “Here I am!” We will also be more aware of those who are in need from the unborn to those in the later stages of their life and everywhere in between. This can be in our own families, home, workplaces, schools, or wherever we go!

Once we are aware, the challenge is knowing how best to provide help. Our response will be unique for each person. What we want to resist is feeding the wind and the waves of indecision and excuses for not helping and instead take a breath and stop. Let our eyes adjust so that we can see the person before us as a human being, as a sister or a brother with dignity, value, and worth.

Everyone wants to belong, to be a part of, to be loved. Then, in the next moment seek the guidance of Jesus, be present, and allow God to happen through us in whatever form or act of kindness that may take. No matter how small, loving another makes a difference. Seeing another, seeing another as human, seeing their need, acknowledging their presence, and seeking God’s guidance on how best to help is a good place to start.

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Photo of woodcut Jesus and leper by Mabel Royds. Are we willing to see Jesus in others and allow them to see Jesus in us?

Link for the Mass readings for Thursday, February 29, 2024