Sunday Gospel: Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

Sunday Gospel:
Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

(September 27 2025)
From the Gospel according to 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.'"

The deep meaning of the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) revolves around themes of stewardship, compassion for the poor, the danger of idolatry (specifically of wealth), and the finality of eternal judgment based on one's life choices.

Here are the central, profound takeaways:

1. The Call to Compassionate Stewardship (The Sin of Indifference)
The Rich Man's Sin: The parable does not state that the rich man actively harmed Lazarus; his sin was one of omission or indifference. He lived a life of daily luxury while Lazarus lay in abject poverty and sickness right outside his gate. He failed to use his God-given resources to show justice and mercy to the vulnerable person God had placed directly in his path.

A Warning to the Wealthy: Jesus delivered this parable immediately after describing the Pharisees as "lovers of money" (Luke 16:14). It is a stark warning that wealth is not a sign of divine favor (as many in that time believed) but a serious responsibility. How one uses earthly riches—specifically, one's response to the poor and needy—is a matter of eternal consequence.

2. The Great Reversal of Fortune
The parable dramatically illustrates a complete reversal of fortunes in the afterlife. The rich man, who enjoyed "good things" in his lifetime, finds himself in torment (Hades), while Lazarus, who suffered "bad things," is comforted at "Abraham's side."

This reversal challenges the common assumption that earthly success equates to spiritual blessing and highlights the fact that God ultimately vindicates the oppressed and reverses human hierarchies.

3. The Finality of Eternal Destiny
The conversation between the rich man and Abraham emphasizes that death seals one's destiny. The "great chasm" fixed between them signifies that there is no second chance, no crossing over, and no way to mitigate the final consequence of a life lived without compassion and obedience to God.

4. The Sufficiency of Scripture

When the rich man begs for Lazarus to be sent back from the dead to warn his five brothers, Abraham replies, "They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them."

This is a crucial point: Jesus emphasizes that people already have everything they need in the Scriptures (The Law and the Prophets) to know how to live righteously, which includes caring for the poor and showing justice. If they ignore this clear teaching, they would not be convinced even by a miracle, such as someone returning from the dead (a possible allusion to Jesus' own upcoming resurrection).

In summary, the deep meaning is a powerful indictment of selfishness and materialism, urging listeners to prioritize compassion and obedience to God's word over the fleeting comforts of the world, because the choices made in this life have unalterable eternal consequences.