Mar
12
2020
By Anonymous (not verified)
"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.'"- Lk 16:31
Jesus' audience in today's Gospel is not amused. Before this reading begins, the Pharisees sneer at Him (Lk 16:14). Their reaction follows Jesus' Parable of the Dishonest Steward (Lk 16:1-8a). His story teaches that there's a link between money and spirituality. Man must love God and use money, not use God and love money.
Why do they react negatively? The rest of that earlier verse tells us: The Pharisees loved money.
In response, Jesus tells them the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. Lying just outside the rich man's door, Lazarus could have lived merely on what fell from the rich man's table. The rich man was not just wasteful. He was downright cruel.
The Jews being told this parable expect a heavenly reward simply by the merits of their heritage and position. Jesus tells them a very different story. The rich man, based on how he addresses Abraham, is Jewish. And, like the Pharisees, the rich man's preference for money over mercy shows his disregard for the Lord's commands and statutes. By his greed, he forfeits his heritage, his position, and his heavenly reward. The story concludes with a warning not to ignore the prophets, Moses, and Jesus (the "someone" who will rise from the dead).
Prayer: Dear Lord, please help me to be both wise and merciful in my use of money.
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Jesus' audience in today's Gospel is not amused. Before this reading begins, the Pharisees sneer at Him (Lk 16:14). Their reaction follows Jesus' Parable of the Dishonest Steward (Lk 16:1-8a). His story teaches that there's a link between money and spirituality. Man must love God and use money, not use God and love money.
Why do they react negatively? The rest of that earlier verse tells us: The Pharisees loved money.
In response, Jesus tells them the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. Lying just outside the rich man's door, Lazarus could have lived merely on what fell from the rich man's table. The rich man was not just wasteful. He was downright cruel.
The Jews being told this parable expect a heavenly reward simply by the merits of their heritage and position. Jesus tells them a very different story. The rich man, based on how he addresses Abraham, is Jewish. And, like the Pharisees, the rich man's preference for money over mercy shows his disregard for the Lord's commands and statutes. By his greed, he forfeits his heritage, his position, and his heavenly reward. The story concludes with a warning not to ignore the prophets, Moses, and Jesus (the "someone" who will rise from the dead).
Prayer: Dear Lord, please help me to be both wise and merciful in my use of money.
See all meditations to date
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