And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
luke 16:20-21
who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps
that fell from the rich man’s table.
Reflection
Jesus tells the Pharisees a parable about a rich man and a poor man. The rich man doesn’t give Lazarus, the poor man, help in any manner. When both men die, Lazarus is taken to the bosom of Abraham, while the rich man is in torment in the netherworld. He begs for some comfort from Lazarus, but Abraham says it is not possible.
The poor man, Lazarus, would “gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table.” There are many people in our world today who would want the same. While we might not all be well off, there are others who are in a worse position. As Christians, we are called to be generous and charitable towards others.
While it might not always be possible to do this monetarily, we can help others by donating our time and talent. We should always be grateful for what we do have, even if it is not a lot, remembering that others may not be as fortunate. Let us not be like the selfish, rich man, but rather be generous and loving towards all we encounter.
Saint of the Day
St. Wenceslaus: ca. AD 907 – 929
| Good King Wenceslas looked out, on the Feast of Stephen, when the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even. Brightly shone the moon that night, though the frost was cruel, when a poor man came in sight, gath’ring winter fuel. In his master’s steps he trod, where the snow lay dinted; heat was in the very sod which the Saint had printed. Therefore, Christian men, be sure, wealth or rank possessing, ye who now will bless the poor, shall yourselves find blessing. Excerpt from “Good King Wenceslaus” hymn |
The Healing Word 