So he called to him, “Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.” 
 But Abraham replied, “Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.” 
(Luke 16:24-26)
 

Luke 16:19-31

The rich man had his reward on earth, while Lazarus suffered. Now, after death, Lazarus received his reward—eternity with God, while the rich man suffers in Hades. As we know, it was not his wealth that landed the rich man there, but his lack of compassion, mercy, and charity. He could not take his wealth or the food and wine on which he was feasting with him. The rich man now cries out to Abraham for mercy. He cries out too, for so little, a drop of water. 

And then the words that none of us would ever want to hear—no one can cross over from hell to heaven, nor can one cross over from heaven to hell to provide relief or acts of charity. It is our faith and acts of charity on earth that will determine where we will spend eternity. The rich man is stuck in eternal suffering. 

Who is the Lazarus in my life?

Am I sometimes the rich man, ignoring the needs and anguish of this person?

When am I like Lazarus, in need and anguish, who hears and sees my need? 

Reflections by Adri Sutherland

Merciful God,
you hear the cry of people in need, and you hear the cry of my heart. Help me to listen to those cries, too 

and help where I can.
Amen.

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