Homily on the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost.
“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 Hades, 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.’ Lk 16:19-24
In life we are continuously confronted with choices that are to be made that impact not only us – but those around us. Via the gift of free will bestowed upon us, we have been given the power to make our lives and that of those around us a living paradise or a living hell!
Hence, as human beings we are constantly interacting with all sorts of people, whether that be from our work place, schools/universities or when we are out and about preforming our daily affairs. Sometimes we are given the chance to help someone in need whether it be bringing an old lady's shopping to the car, comforting a work mate whose marriage has just ended or standing up for someone who is a victim of bullying.
When I was 15 years old, I traveled to my family's home town in Sicily with my grandfather. I clearly recall this scorching hot summers day - I was walking to the local supermarket and upon entering it there was an old lady holding the biggest watermelon I have ever seen and shopping bags hanging from her wrists. As I passed her, she stopped me - “Hey boy! Can you help me to bring some of my shopping home its to heavy for me to do on my own?” So, I grabbed the water melon out of her hands and a shopping bag and we began to walk back to her house which was a few blocks away. The whole 5-minute walk she was expressing her gratitude and she was telling me how her family has left her to fend for herself; not even her grandchildren go to visit her, at which I my heart ached for her.
Thus, after I left the old lady at her home, I thanked God for giving me the opportunity to help her even though I didn’t really do much. However, to see that I made her happy for a few minutes despite the way her family treated her - this made me happy and that was a privilege in itself.
“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. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” Lk 16:25-31
Over the years I have noticed a growing trend with people who say they are Christians but in actual fact haven't been to Church a day in their lives – using profound expressions, blaspheming the all-Holy name of Jesus Christ, cursing in the name of God and blaming an event in their life that has negatively impacted them (death, broken-down marriage ect....) on God! A catastrophic derailment of any form of Christianity, rotten to the core which stems from evil personified!
Thus, how many times have we heard or even said - “Well God should have done this or its Gods fault for this happening......” Well, NO it doesn't work that way! As I stated earlier, we have been given full control of our lives (free will) and we choose via the decisions we make what the outcome shall be. Of course, there are things that are out of our control such as death! However, we must remember that our earthly life is temporary and if we live in Jesus in this life through the mysteries of His Church; we will surly live in Him for eternity!
Furthermore, Jesus was referring to Himself in today's gospel when He exhorted - ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” Lk 16:31 Therefore, what more do we want? Jesus incarnated Himself fully into our humanity, voluntary ascended His glorious cross, gave us His Mother Mariam, abolished deaths hold over humanity, rose from the dead, sent His All-Holy Spirit (Pentecost), has granted miracles, after miracle, after miracle, has given us His Church with her Holy mysteries, the blood of the Martyrs and Saints and we still have to audacity to say - “But if you (Referring to God) had done this that and the other...”? Yet in this modern society we are very quick to reject such truths and then employ eastern perspectives such as reincarnation and past lives. Hence, we have a problem of logic.
Moreover, on the topic of death only the other day I heard someone say - “Well if Gods love is infinite why did he allow such and such to die? How then can He (God) be All loving? Thus, when God created the earth and everything within it including us, it was done in such a way that was self-sufficient. May I put it into another form. When a computer programmer builds his computer, he spends ample time perfecting it in order that when it is ready, he can release it into the world without following it to its destination; ensuring it won't break down via the best software and anti-virus programs he installed.
Hence, God perfected the order of nature allowing it to take its course; moreover, granting us (Humanity) the wisdom/knowledge to discover/invent medicines in order to combat various diseases, sickness and so on - making life as comfortable as possible.
Furthermore, there are certain individuals who not only have the audacity to refer to themselves as Christian but attempt to convince others around them of their self-interpreted form of religion which many times is a cocktail of religions bundled up into one package – you can call it “The all-in-one religion of madness” where people take from here, there and everywhere and Wala! A new form of crazy has been invented.
In addition, I have an orthodox friend who believes in reincarnation, passed life and all sorts of wired non-Christian beliefs – however he is adamant that he is an orthodox Christian and nothing else! Perhaps Hinduism creeped in there overnight and he had a brain mall-function and that’s a new form of orthodoxy. It sounds messed up because it is messed up!
In conclusion, we cannot have our hands in different baskets as we say in our Australian native tongue, we must choose one or the other! If we can't choose then we are better off being nothing ensuring that we do not make a mockery of God and ourselves! Furthermore, Jesus clearly states in the book of Revelations chapter 3 verse 16 - So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. This may sound harsh but it is reality, we can't do what we like we are not in charge! Something that many find hard to swallow, not being in control’ hence making up their own type of religion that suits their way of thinking and ideologies: a convenient form of atheism!
Thus, if we know of such people let us pray for them that they may humble themselves, swallow their pride and submit to God who loves All His creation beyond conceiving and is eternally saddened when we choose unwisely and depart from His unwavering love! We have been given the gift of freedom especially in will, yet we behold the consequences when such is not only used unwisely but seeks to hijack the dignity of others!
Through the prayers of the Theotokos, Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy on us and save us!
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