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.’’’

The rich man does not do anything – this is his great sin. He is too cool about life, too cool about his surroundings. He is no atheist. He recognizes Abraham. Perhaps he is even thankful to God for his overflowing blessings. But he has forgotten that there is another side to the face of God – God in others, most especially the lost, the least, and the last. He has forgotten that religion, besides prayer, consists also in caring "for orphans and widows in their affliction" (Jas 1:27).

The rich man has another mistaken concept: Used to pomp and splendor, he thinks God always acts in ceremonial fashion. So he asks Abraham to send Lazarus back to his brothers. He thinks his brothers will find it easier to listen if the way the message is delivered were unique – as by someone risen from the dead! He thinks God’s ways ought to be always spectacular. Instead, Abraham points to Moses and the prophets – God’s ordinary vehicles of His will.

SOURCE: "365 Days with the Lord," ST PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.