The Rich man sees Lazarus when the rich man was in netherworld

Gospel Thoughts*

*Lent : Second Week: Thursday*

*GOSPEL - Lk 16:19-31*

*First Reading - Jer 17:5-10*

*The Rich man sees Lazarus when the rich man was in netherworld*

*1) The Rich man fails to see Lazarus*

The Gospel is very clear that Lazarus was lying at the door of the rich man 

It was a short distance or there was no distance in terms of physical distance

But in the life of Rich man there was a great distance, which made him not to see this poor Lazarus

*2) The factors which blinded the vision of Rich man*

First of all his richness. Materially he was rich. He had lot of money, food materials,  wealth, power and position. This blinded his vision 

Secondly he was all the time busy in feasting and celebration. So there wasn't a time to see poor Lazarus 

Thirdly he was busy with external beauty and appearance, which made him to concentrate on his clothes, other external things 

Fourthly he was busy in eating, drinking and in sensual pleasure, which took much of his time in unnecessary things 

All these things blinded his vision from seeing the poor Lazarus who was very much present at his door

*3) Rich man fails in one of his important duties - by not seeing the poor Lazarus*

As the Gospel makes it clear that, the rich man completely failed in seeing the poor Lazarus 

He also failed to see his miserable condition, his life struggles, his status of life, which becomes a serious offense 

Since the rich man failed to see Lazarus as another human being it is very clear that the rich man committed a grave blunder and ultimately results in grave punishment

*4) Rich man even failed to see during the death time*

Death is the crucial time where people normally see another person 

But the rich man neither during the death of Lazarus saw him nor when the rich man himself was in death bed was able to see Lazarus. 

So neither life  or death was able to make it possible to see the poor Lazarus.

*5) The Rich man sees Lazarus in Netherworld/hell*

First of all it was not a place to see another person 

Secondly seeing another person from that place is useless 

Thirdly raising his eyes from the netherworld becomes a futile exercise from the part of the rich man. In fact he would have raised his eyes when he was in this world to see the poor Lazarus

So seeing from netherworld is useless. 

*6) Seeing the poor and needy from the netherworld will not help in any way*

The rich man saw the poor Lazarus for the first time from the netherworld. 

From the netherworld he requested his help to get away from the torments. But his request was invalid 

So seeing from the netherworld a needy or a poor man will not change ones destiny in any way

*7) When and where do I see the people like Lazarus?*

There are many instances which come across in our lives to see the poor Lazarus in and around us. 

Am I capable of seeing them or has my lifestyle made it impossible for me not to see them 

Purposefully ignoring them to see, will end in reaching one to the netherworld. 

Once reaching there and trying to see the poor Lazarus will help in no way

So seeing Lazarus at the proper time and helping them is very much necessary 

*8) Choice between rich man and poor Lazarus*

Instead of desiring and working to become like the rich man, who finally ended up in netherworld, it is better to remain like Lazarus and to reach to heaven 

If you are in the position of a rich man, don't forget to see the poor Lazarus who is present to your next door 

If you are Lazarus, don't grumble, because the present situation finally leads to the heavenly kingdom 

If then the choice is yours. Make a wise choice during this Lent

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*