In the parable of the Rich man and Lazarus, Our Lord is clearly teaching the importance of caring for those in need—materially, emotionally, spiritually. The Rich Man is condemned for ignoring the poor man—the dying man at his gate. The Rich Man couldn’t claim he didn’t know the poor man was there; for from his conversation with Abraham, the Rich Man appears to have even known the poor man’s name.
So the Lord condemns the hardheartedness for the poor, the selfishness and worldliness which leads to the neglect of the poor in our midst.
But then the Lord takes the teaching one step deeper, exposing the reason for the Rich Man’s failure: he failed to head the way of righteousness laid out by Moses and the prophets. Within the Torah and the Prophetic Writings, care for the poor, the dying, the widow, the orphaned is clear.
Jesus is certainly condemning the Pharisees of his day. They loved the spotlight. Trumpets would be blown when the condescended to give alms. They were like our modern-day career politicians who exploit the poor for their own ends. Sure, they’ll feed the poor when the cameras are filming, they’ll talk a big game in order to get elected, but their disdain for the poor can be seen in their policies which essentially abandon the poor and increase impoverishment.
The Pharisees claimed to be experts of the Law and Prophets, yet their lifestyle did not reflect those teachings. They preached but they did not practice. And Jesus teaches, for this, they would experience eternal separation from God if they did not repent.
Following the Lord requires more than simply having the head knowledge, knowing the teachings, even teaching the teachings. We must practice what we preach. St. James says, “Faith without works is dead.” And dead faith in life, will yield death in eternity.
The Lord claims that the Pharisees failed to trust Moses and the prophets. Sometimes we fail to care for the poor because we lack trust. Psalm 62 says, “Trust in Him at all times, O my people! Pour out your hearts before Him.” Our failure to pour out our hearts, pour out our lives in service, exposes a lack of trust.
How can we increase our trust? Psalm 37 says, “trust in the Lord and do good works”. By giving—by giving of our time, talent, and treasure—our trust increases. Our Lenten almsgiving truly helps the needy and also increases our trust in God.
May the Lord increase our trust and help our unbelief. May our Lenten observances help us to truly practice God’s Word in this earthly life, that we may come to experience eternal life with Him, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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That those despairing of God’s mercy and those presumptuous of God’s mercy may come to know and practice authentic Christian Hope.
That those preparing for baptism and full Christian initiation at Easter may be strengthened in Faith, Hope, and Love through the Church’s prayer and witness.
That we may generously respond to all those in need: the sick, the suffering, the homeless, the imprisoned, and victims of violence.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Grant, we pray, O Lord, that your people may turn to you with all their heart, so that whatever they dare to ask in fitting prayer they may receive by your mercy.
Good morning, Father. There's a misprint in the paragraph that begins with "The Pharisees claimed to be experts of the Law and Prophets..." The next sentence should read "preached, but did not practice." Thank you again for your online homilies.
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