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.'"
Dawg's thought:
Today's prayer intention is for the repose of the soul of the father of a friend of mine, and for comfort for him and his family.
"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other" - Blessed Mother Teresa
What did rich man want Lazarus to say to his brothers? Love your neighbor? Don't be so caught up in worldly things? Give to the poor?
If we changed it around, what would Lazarus say to you? Forgive those who hurt you? Reach out to those who are outcast? Comfort someone who is suffering?
My guess is that he would say something like, "remove obstacles in your life that separate you from God and your brothers and sisters."
Through the fasting that we are united in, let us offer this time for our own hearts so that our eyes may see the obstacles we need to place at the feet of Jesus. Take care and God Bless.
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