Afterlife

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Afterlife

Lazarus   Rich Man

Faith    Wealth    Reversal

Listen To Moses Prophets

Chasm

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Luke 16:29

Jesus told his disciples a story about a rich man who ignored a poor man, Lazarus, who was begging by his door. When Lazarus died, he went to the bosom of Abraham, but the rich man went to the underworld where he was facing torment. The rich man asked Abraham to send messengers to his five brothers so that they would change their ways and avoid what he was experiencing.

"But Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.'"

Reflection

Many of us wonder exactly what the afterlife will be like. We do not have an exact description; but in this story Jesus tells in Luke, it sounds very good for Lazarus but very miserable for the rich man!

It seems like the issue of faith is crucial in this story. Lazarus has put his faith in God and is asking for help from those who have more blessings than he does. The rich man simply ignores the needs of Lazarus and enjoys his feasting while Lazarus is hungry.

Faith is not just a recitation of abstract beliefs. We have to live our faith every day in the ways we treat others. If we turn away from those who are struggling, our faith is empty and meaningless. 

Wealth is not something that we should keep for ourselves. With that wealth comes our responsibility to share the blessings that God has given to us with others, particularly those who are neglected and live on the margins of society as Lazarus does.

I remember a Mass Kathy and I attended at Yankee Stadium on October 2nd, 1979, where Pope John Paul II presided and gave the homily on this story from Luke. He reminded those of us in wealthier countries to share our resources with those in the developing world. It was a challenging message for us then and even more so now as our country has discontinued much of the life-saving aid that we formerly gave to people who are hungry and need medical care in developing countries. 

This story depicts a reversal, Lazarus goes from hardship to eternal bliss, and the rich man goes from feasting to suffering. This shows us the importance of not settling for a temporary advantage but of being true to what God asks of us. We might feel that we are losing something by sharing our wealth and blessings with others, but, in the wider picture, we are only gaining more love and being enriched with more blessings. 

We are encouraged by Jesus to listen to the message of Moses and the prophets. It was a message that was consistent in the Hebrew Scriptures: we must take care of the stranger, the poor, the widow, and the orphan. The prophets never tired of proclaiming this message and exhorting the people to remain faithful to the covenant with God by giving to those in need.

Abraham reminds the rich man of the chasm that exists between him and Lazarus. It is a chasm that is built on indifference to the needs of others. 

We have the opportunity to close that chasm every day in this life so that there are no chasms in the afterlife.

Enjoy your efforts to fill in that chasm!

1. What is your picture of the afterlife?

2. How important is it for you to put your faith into action?

3. Do you feel that wealth is bad in itself?

4. Do you feel, as Pope John Paul II said, that wealthier countries have an obligation to assist developing countries?

5. What do you feel about the afterlife as you ponder Kathy's photo?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)