Dogs Licking the Sores of Lazarus

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season:  Twenty Sixth Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Lk 16:19-31*

*First Reading : Am 6:1a, 4-7*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 146:7, 8-9, 9-10*

*Second Reading - 1 Tm 6:11-16*

*Dogs Licking the Sores of Lazarus*

*1) Why this expression?*

Contrast of neglect vs. compassion:

The rich man ignores Lazarus completely.

The dogs, considered unclean animals in Jewish culture, at least acknowledge Lazarus by tending to his wounds.

This contrast shows that even animals had more mercy than the human who should have helped.

*2) Symbol of extreme misery*

For the original hearers, the image of dogs licking wounds evoked utter degradation.

It showed Lazarus’ helplessness: he couldn’t even shoo away the dogs. His condition was pitiable.

*3) Possible natural relief:*

Dog saliva has mild healing properties. 

Some scholars see the licking as instinctive compassion—perhaps even a hint that God’s creation showed kindness when people failed.

*4) Symbolic reversal:*

The “unclean dogs” become cleaner in heart than the rich man.

This foreshadows the reversal at death: Lazarus is carried by angels, the rich man buried in torment.

*5) Great Lessons from this Parable*

*A) Indifference is worse than impurity*

The rich man was ritually “clean,” feasting in fine clothes. The dogs were “unclean,” yet they showed compassion. The parable challenges us: ritual purity and appearances mean nothing without mercy.

*B) God sees the unseen suffering*

While the world ignored Lazarus, Scripture carefully records even the detail of the dogs licking his sores. 

God notices the suffering and humiliation of the poor—every small detail matters to Him.

*3) Unexpected instruments of God’s comfort*

Lazarus did not receive kindness from humans, but from animals. 

Sometimes God uses unexpected, even despised, means to console those who suffer.

*D) Warning to us*

Are we like the rich man—so wrapped in comfort that we let others suffer outside our “gate”? 

The dogs remind us: if even creation shows compassion, how much more should we.

*6) Final Thought*

The detail is not random—it highlights the depth of Lazarus’ suffering, the hardness of the rich man’s heart, and the surprising mercy of “unclean” creatures. 

It asks us: Do we see and respond to the suffering at our gates, or do animals shame us with more compassion than we show?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*