Lazarus story still has relevance today
The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke includes the account of the experiences of poor Lazarus and the rich man. (Lk.16:19-31) The rich man was preoccupied with his wealth. He was inattentive to poor Lazarus at his gate. Jesus spoke about poor Lazarus and the rich man centuries ago.
Present day society has many parallels to the existence of Lazarus and the rich man. A person does not need to look too far to see extreme poverty and wealth in society today.
Daily the news media reports about business and financial executives receiving salaries and benefits which stretch into many millions.
At the same time many corporations and financial institutions are going bankrupt.
Men and women employed in lower level positions and retirees are losing their salaries, pensions and/or benefits. Numerous executives are taking very good care of themselves financially and the faithful lower level employees are finding themselves without jobs.
In the entertainment and sports industries and in the higher echelons of government, accounts of greed, corruption and immorality are regularly in the news. Insensitivity to the deep disparities of wealth in society seems to prevail.
Greed appears to have no boundaries. One need only look at the salaries and benefits of entertainers, athletes and certain government officials. One has to wonder about interest in, concern and care for fellow human beings.
One has to wonder about sensitivity to the neighbors in our midst.
The Gospel message of the rich man and Lazarus apparently has not taken a dominant hold in many corporate board rooms, in the highest levels of government, and in the professional entertainment and sports industry.
Immorality seems to abound and be promoted in many facets of the communications industry. In communities where men and women once labored honestly in industries to make commodities such as steel and other goods necessary for the benefit of society, hope is now placed in gambling industries.
Gambling establishments have little lasting impact for improving the moral worth and value of society. Individuals in positions of societal leadership can continue to ignore the gospel account of poor Lazarus and the rich man. The words of Christ may be ignored but the words of Christ will not be weakened in value and effect.
Poor Lazarus suffered at the gate of the rich man. His suffering was short in comparison to the lasting care he received when he departed this life. The rich man’s wealth was short-lived, confined to the time of his earthly life.
In the end, Lazarus fared much better and for much longer than the greedy rich. In the end the rich man suffered extensively. Lazarus did not.
Evil men crucified the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus’s voluntary suffering to death was not the final word. The Lord Jesus Christ rose from the tomb and demonstrated the power of God over death and suffering.
Lazarus’s needless suffering as a neighbor of the rich man was not forgotten by God. Individuals with power and resources to help present day individuals in their suffering do well to heed the lessons of the rich man and Lazarus.
While there is time, dramatic action needs to be taken to care for the poor and the needy. While there is time, dramatic action needs to be taken to restore sensitivity to the needy in our midst.
Father Rodney Torbic is the pastor of St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Carmichaels.