Aug 19, 2011 4 min read

Scripture reading: Luke 16:19-31. Text: “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.

In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.'” Luke 16:19-25.

If possible please read the whole story as it is mentioned in our Scripture reading. Our Lord presented this episode as a parable and we should not take it literally word by word, however, its message is real and true. The consequences of our actions here on Earth will follow us and should be taken seriously, please read 2 Corinthians 5:10. These words of the dialogue between Abraham and the rich man are a reminder for both the people as well as for the church: “‘Then I beg you (asked the rich man), father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'” Luke 16:27-28.

TWO PHENOMENA WE CAN OBSERVE IN OUR SOCIETY

Sociologists are studying the changes, directions, tensions, and interactions that are taking place in our society, however, we are interested now only in two observations: fragmentation and polarization. Fragmentation means to break a bigger unit down into smaller pieces; and polarization “to separate into diametrically opposed … groups.” (Webster’s Dictionary) We can notice how our society is polarized between the younger and older generations, ladies and gentlemen, white collar and blue collar workers, high school graduates and scholars, financially struggling and well-to-do citizens, and believers and skeptics.

The challenge is how can the church reach all of them and present a message that will be accepted by each group? What do the various fragments of the society think of religion and what do they expect of the church? Here are a few suggestions knowing that we cannot be complete. You may have different views, and what you read here should serve only as food for thought.

Religion is for:

n younger generations — friendship/fellowship; older generations — care/compassion;

n ladies — love/kindness; gentlemen — it is the clergy’s business/I am busy;

n white collar workers — proof/evidence; blue collar workers — fairness/justice;

n high school graduates — help/understanding; scholars — intelligence/logic;

n financially struggling — support/assistance; well-to-do citizens — private issue;

n believers — prayer/worship; skeptics — nobody is sure/don’t bother;

n moralists — ethics/charity; do-good people — action/involvement.

n revivalists — repentance/salvation; atheists — “the opium of the people.” K. Marx. The society is not a “solid state” entity because people, groups and structures overlap, are interwoven and could change sides. For instance, the young will eventually become elderly, high school graduates could become scientists and skeptics may turn out to be faithful church members. Therefore, we should be careful not to departmentalize the society making final characterization of each group.

Ministry is a great challenge. The problems seem insurmountable, there are more critics than supporters, the pulpit and the pew point fingers at each other, nobody can guarantee success and, people forget, our administration in Washington cannot work miracles either. Yet the words of the Bible are unmistakably clear: “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:2-5.

The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.