The cost of the blindness of the Rich man

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season  : Second Week: Thursday*

*Gospel : Lk 16:19-31*

*First Reading : Jer 17:5-10*

*The cost of the blindness of the Rich man*

*1) The position of the Rich Man*

According to the Gospel the rich man had lots of wealth 

*Rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day.*

So he was in good position as regards to his wealth

*2) The mistake of the Rich man*

The Rich man didn't ill treat the poor Lazarus

He even allowed Lazarus to collect the scraps which fell from his table 

Even then the rich man was condemned because of his indifference towards Lazarus 

He forgot that Lazarus was also a human being, he too needed some good food to sustain himself 

The Rich man failed to see the human dignity in poor Lazarus

*3) Rich man became blind to the reality*

The rich man was not able to see the misery of Lazarus 

When dog came and licked his sores, he didn't even bother about it 

In a way the richness made him blind to the misery of Lazarus 

The richness of the man made his view very narrow, which saw only the comforts about his life and self indulgence

His blindness was cruel, he didn't see anything in Lazarus

*4) The cost of the blindness of the Rich man*

The Riches of this world can accompany a person only in this world 

It will accompany in the next world, provided one makes the right use of the riches 

The rich man failed to make use of the riches in the right spirit. Thats why became poor in the next world 

The cost of blindness of the rich man was so severe, within no time he became not only poor but he became begger 

The rich man was begging with Abraham and Lazarus, for some favour, which was not possible to do 

*5) The use of the Riches or Wealth*

Wealth or Riches can be used as long as we live in this world 

Once we are out from this world, in no way the wealth of this world can be used 

But the effect of the use of this wealth surely will decide our destiny

The rich man used the wealth only for the self and for pleasurable things. Others were not existing for him 

Effect is, in the next world no one exist for him. 

Neither the wealth, nor the persons could help the rich man in any way 

The Rich man died as a poor begger. He had nothing which could help him in the next life 

*6) My life?*

Have I been, blind to the current realities, because of my pride, arrogance, over confidence, fear of failure, riches, wealth and other things? 

Is my riches, knowledge, skills, power and position, making me blind?? 

Is my riches controlling me or I am controlling the wealth?/

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*