2nd week in Lent, Thursday – 17th March 2022 — Gospel: Lk 16,19-31
No Second Chances
The parable of the “Rich man and Lazarus” can be divided into three parts. The first part focuses on the rich man’s luxury and wealth. The second part highlights his death and burial. The third part builds up the dialogue between the rich man and Abraham. In the third part, the rich man makes three requests to Abraham. Firstly, he makes of Abraham to let Lazarus dip the tip of his finger in water to cool his tongue. In his response, Abraham reminds the rich man of his and Lazarus’s past and of the chasm that separated them then. Indeed, the separation that the rich man made continues even in eternity. Secondly, he makes a request of Abraham to send Lazarus as a messenger to warn his brothers. It is admirable that even in his torment the rich man can think of others (his own family members). Abraham responds that his brothers have already received enough and more instruction and if they have not heeded that they will not heed another. The rich man tries one final time to convince Abraham to send Lazarus as one who has gone back from the dead. Abraham responds by telling the rich man that for those who believe no proof is necessary and for those who do not no proof is sufficient. In all his requests the rich man pleaded with Abraham for another chance for his brothers, and he even vouched for them claiming to repent. He actually hoped for an emissary that would change his brothers’ minds. However, Abraham’s response categorically denies that there are no second chances after death. Therefore, we need to take every opportunity to be Christ’s hands and feet to serve our brothers today in their concrete reality.
