The rich man who found himself in the absence of the promise at bodily death was spiritually tortured and cried out to the Father of Nations: “Father Abraham, please ask that mercy be shown me via sending poor Lazarus who begged at my door and I neglected for years to dip his finger in the well of our father Jakub; moistening my parched tongue in these flames of depression which craves the water of life.” (Lk16:24)
The well-known passage regarding the rich man who’s wealth as described in the parable of the sower and seed was as those very seeds falling amongst thorns. God’s message is heard, but the success and accumulation of worldly wealth impeded such seeds taking root – using worldly power to do good for the benefit of others!
Yet the poor man who’s name in Hebrew was Ezra and the Greek is better known as Lazarus means GOD IS MY HELP; the one who lived his life in complete trust in God which is mirrored in the psalm 121: “I lift my eyes towards God’s mountain as I look for help, but my heart knows that help only comes from the Lord who brought all things into being!”
There is nothing wrong with wealth, in fact it is a blessing and the early Hebrew people knew this to be true, yet when greed kicks in it can be one’s own downfall. The poor were seen as cursed by God and were kept at arms-length so to speak/write. Equilibrium was always a problem and there was no Centrelink back then, nor was there any medical assistance for those who developed life threatening diseases; either you had it all or you did not!
Parables (story settings) such as these were no mere examples, but truths and accumulated happenings to which Jesus used to crack open even the thickest heads so that they could try and comprehend the greater reality. Btw, if one notices, we have a foretaste of what the absence of God is like – a place people don’t like discussing: HELL! Let’s get away from Hollywood and other such imaginings and put things into perspective. It’s a real place, a place that is not pleasant, but above all a place which for the most arrogant and ill willed humanity that have no forgiveness or mercy for themselves which reject God mercy – a place that constantly revives the un-repentant wrong one has wilfully harboured others!
As we read within the gospel context, the poor man who begged for bread each day outside this rich guy’s house was turned away and even deprived of the food given to pets….yet the very pets came to disinfect the man’s wounds with their tongues and showed him love. We have often heard the saying that animals a better than us when showing affection – one can also see a glimpse of the communion we enjoyed in the very beginning when one sees the most ferocious of animals looking after the most frail of them and even assisting us humans.
There is one marvellous account which mirrors the purpose of the incarnation at which all was sanctified in his name and perfected in his grace from the life of St. Macarius of Egypt. St. Macarius who was a monastic who followed the rule of St. Anthony the Great (Abbot) 301-391 AD was following the daily cycle of services (prayers) in his cave: as he was praying, a hyena crept in and then gently licked his feet. Macarius was amazed at this to which the hyena gently tugged at his tunic and tried to draw him towards the cave’s entrance.
He was still rather puzzled at the event but then followed her to the entrance. At this the hyena went back in and fetched her cubs who were blind at birth which she then placed in front of him. He then understood and began praying over them in the Name that is above all names (Jesus) to which he then returned them to their mother with their sight restored.
Then Macarius returned to prayer of which by this time was the compline…..the hyena returned but this time she came with a large sheep’s fleece in her mouth to which she dropped at his feet. Then he smiled at her tenderly, blessed her and placed it on his mat for the evening rest.
Some would say such an account is Hollywood imagination, but if that is truly our understanding of things then we are truly poor in spirit! How many Christian’s struggle with the resurrection??? The number is phenomenal – let’s not mention the clergy!!! Just today I can testify to such where a funeral eulogy was given and the daughter who is supposedly a Christian boldly states: “Dad, I don’t know where you are or where you are going; I hope I find you in beautiful places!” If this is what is coming out of the mouth of our people then something’s wrong with what we are teaching them!!!
Then the rich man begged stating: “Father Abraham, please allow Lazarus to go to warn my brothers about that which awaits the foolish of heart!” Abraham then boldly stated: “They have the law which Moses gave to the people and the testament of the prophets; let them listen to the scriptures which are proclaimed to the people!” (Lk 16:27-29)
When the Church present in the Balkans well established itself, it began with much sadness to mirror the rich man whose lifestyle was truly prestigious and totally refined. Yet, when communism arose and became a diabolical agent which produced a phenomenal amount of martyrs – the Church became like poor Lazarus which survived in humility and true faith.
Years passed and old ways come back to haunt us and the greatest cancer in the Church is nationalism! In other words when the Church which is the Communion of Saints and mystical body of Christ in the world mirrors national parliaments; that which happened at Pentecost reverts to that which took place at Babel – competition against each other!
For those of you who may not be aware, Holy Orthodoxy has been severed ever since nationalism began – in other words; Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Serbian Orthodox! There is one Holy Catholic (universal) Apostolic Church present in all nations to which no nation is greater than the other, but each compliments the Church via their culture and traditions.
Hence, the ancient rebellion occurred in the beginning for the very fact that it thought to be greater than God due to the beauty, splendour, and power God bestowed on it to which it was stripped immediately of all grace. Yet, the Church present in Russia and Ukraine are at odds with each other due to primacy.
Thus, when fairness was granted or rather recognized to Ukraine via intervention of Constantinople – Russia objected and many would say: cut herself off from the rest of the Church in protest to this slap in the face going in her own direction via political influence! When will we learn the words of the Cherubicon (angelic hymn of entrance) “Let us lay aside all earthly cares for the king of glory enters upborne by angelic hosts!”
This also holds true for the very religious people who have an austere mindset which clings to the letter of the law (religious observances) yet are remote from the heart of the law (God’s heart who ever seeks to draw all onto himself) becoming the very obstacle they themselves accuse others of being or having: SIN – alienation from God and his mercy rendered via his Incarnation – Jesus the Son!
Six paragraphs ago, we mentioned the rise of communism as a diabolical agent…..just as the Lord turns a negative into a positive and wholesome outcome, evil in its fullness also uses elements good to cote its plan of destruction. Let us look at the Church and the various fragmentations from 1057AD (the great schism) onwards. Although we have the gift of science and can prolong life and protect it in order to bring about nurturing of human life, yet the same outcome can be employed via a totally different intention!
We may be familiar with the biography of our history where God conversed with us which was captured via his words to the prophets and saints, yet it also bares the mentality of the time however relevant or not: the bible! This book is but a collection of accounts the Church (old and new covenants) gathered in its life.
This holy book is but a portion of the greater picture the Church has been called to be – the mystical body of He who Is (Emmanuel) bestowing life and living water into the veins of those who have been washed, anointed and nourished via his command!
Therefore, the minute this book is taken out of the womb of this mystical body and is interpreted outside of that very order; the equivalent of incubated chooks pumped up with steroids awaiting slaughter and product line within weeks emerges. Christendom is on life support due to this reason and tis the very reason why many are walking away, embracing other creeds or letting go all together due to dictatorship and hate mail dished out religious concentration camp style.
Hence, for those who have followed the evangelical protestant groups which boldly state that the Bible has ultimate authority: there is no authority outside of the Church! The bible can only live within the tradition it has been born into and the moment it is taken out and interpreted by every Tom, Dick and Harry: an episode of Hell’s Kitchen emerges where Gordon Ramsey not only offends but turns people away from trying – and in this instance from pursuing the apostolic faith!
Another good reason why early on the Church didn’t allow people to read the bible by themselves in order to avoid the grand mess and chronically ill interpretations that have been created! Just as a body has its senses of sight, touch and smell, so too does the Church live in word, liturgy, and patristics which visualize the worship and teaching of the Heavenly Jerusalem!
May we broaden our horizons and lay aside all pre-conceived ideas in order to once again grasp the beauty, wonder and grace of the Lord. All this via opening the portals of our hearts and allowing room for otherness – the place where God as the potter begins to mould us as clay into his vessel of presence for others to savour whilst healing emerges within.
Then the rich man rebutted saying: “No Father Abraham, they will not heed to what the scriptures state, but if Lazarus was to return from the grave and warn them – they will truly amend their ways!” Then Abraham boldly affirmed: “If as you say they refuse in the arrogance of their hearts to listen to what God commands in the scriptures; they will also reject the one who rises from the dead!” (Lk 16:30-31)
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