'They have Moses and the prophets.' 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C, 26 September 2010

Dives and Lazarus painted in the 1540s by Bonifacio Veronese

Readings

New American Bible (Philippines, USA)

Jerusalem Bible (Australia, England @ Wales, Ireland, Scotland)

Gospel (Luke 16:19-31)

Jesus said to the Pharisees:
"There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen
and dined sumptuously each day.
And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps
that fell from the rich man's table.
Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.
When the poor man died,
he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.
The rich man also died and was buried,
and from the netherworld, where he was in torment,
he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off
and Lazarus at his side.
And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me.
Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue,
for I am suffering torment in these flames.'
Abraham replied,
'My child, remember that you received
what was good during your lifetime
while Lazarus likewise received what was bad;
but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.
Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established
to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go
from our side to yours or from your side to ours.'
He said, 'Then I beg you, father,
send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers,
so that he may warn them,
lest they too come to this place of torment.'
But Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets.
Let them listen to them.'
He said, 'Oh no, father Abraham,
but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'
Then Abraham said, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'"

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Lazarus - The Unknown Friend

Here is a reflection by Jean Vanier, founder of L'Arche and co-founder, with Marie Helen Mathieu, of Faith and Light, on today's gospel. It is from his book Encountering "the Other", Veritas Publications, Dublin, 2005.

Fredy (left) of L'Arche, Honduras, with Jean Vanier

Sometimes those of us who have more  power, more money, more time or more knowledge bend down to those who have less power, less knowledge or less wealth; there is a movement from the “superior” to the “inferior”.  When people are generous they are in control.  You can imagine someone in the street falling down and you going to help that person to get up.  Then something happens.  As you listen to that person you become friends.  Perhaps you discover that that person is living in squalor and has little money.  You are not just being generous; you are entering into a relationship which will change your life.  You are no longer in control.  You have become vulnerable; you have come to love that person.  You have listened to her story.  You have been touched by that incredible, beautiful person who has lived something incredibly difficult.  You are no longer in control, you are no longer just the generous one, you have become vulnerable.  You have become a friend… Jesus is asking us to come up from behind the walls of our group and open our hearts to those who have been marginalised because of their poverty, because of their handicaps, and become their friend.  In the heart of Christ there is a yearning to bring people together to meet as friends.  To make that move from generosity to communion of hearts will imply a new way of living. It will imply a transformation, because we will have lost power.

Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, Archbishop of Manila (center, seated), with Faith and Light friends.

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Fair Trade Fights for Justice and Freedom

In the context of today's gospel read Fr Shay Cullen's latest Reflections: Fair Trade Fights for Justice and Freedom on our forum.

Recycled Candy Wrapper Purse, one of many products of Preda Fair Trade Philippines.