Homily on 20th Sunday of Pentecost Luke: 19-31.
In today’s Gospel, we have recounted for us the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. In this tale, a rich man ends up in Hades (Hell). Finally, the rich man begs Abraham to let him return to his brothers so that he may warn them of ignoring the teachings of the prophets. However, Abraham tells him even if he were to come back, it would be to no avail as they would ignore his warning.
In many ways, this parable was a warning to those in Christ’s generation who would ultimately ignore his message. This is a foretelling of the reality that many of Christ’s generation would ignore His message - just as they had ignored the message of the prophets before Him. Indeed, this is a message that is still relevant to many today - who still ignore the Gospel of love for to them - money is more important than love. Moreover, many in this current generation will be met with the terrible reality when our Lord and Saviour will say to them, “I do not know you (Luke 13:27).
This parable teaches us something essential about the value of humility for Lazarus was humbled in his life to the point that he was the poorest of men. So poor, in fact, that he was begging for the minutest scrap from the table of the rich man. Thus, it is clear that our Lord and Saviour looks kindly on humility as opposed to those who walk around with a look of pride and an evil heart (Psalm 100: 5). Thus let us see that to be humble is to imitate the one who is the model of perfect conduct – our Lord and Saviour. Let us not forget that our Lord and Saviour was humbled beyond belief to the point that He was and is despised by many as predicted by Saint Isaiah (53:3).
I often marvel at the conduct of some supposed clergy and laity who conflate being holy with a rigid set of rules as well as having the best of the best. However, it appears that they have forgotten this command of Christ to be humble and loving and not to judge others in the community. This is not the way to the Christ, who is the ‘Way the Truth and the Life (John 16:6)’. The only way to our Lord and Saviour is through His Holy Body the Church through the great Mysteries that He instituted for our sanctification. To receive grace from these Mysteries, we must approach them with great humility and gratitude.
Frequently, people forget that the Mysteries of the Church especially the Mystery of the Holy Eucharist, are the most precious things on the planet. Without these Mysteries, one cannot be saved or even hope to get into communion with the All-Holy Trinity! Therefore, it is wise that we take a balanced approach in life and realise that whilst money is essential in our day to day lives let us not forget that it is better to gain treasure in Heaven than here on Earth (Matthew 6: 19-21).
How many people work hard to build up a big fortune to realise in the end they have become estranged from the All-Holy Trinity and their loved ones? This is truly a terrible thing to happen, especially when that person finally realises that all they have built up cannot love them in return. Expensive cars are wonderful, but can they truly love you in return? Can they fulfil one at the end of the day? I am not saying one should not own such as these but rather that it is essential that one keeps balanced keeping up a good relationship with the All-Holy Trinity, family, friends, and the community.
Furthermore, time and time again, I have met people faithful people who have little, yet they are often the happiest of people I have met. In many ways, these simple folk have got it right, in that they place their relationship with the All-Holy Trinity and others above other Earthly concerns. Remember, many of the saints despite their sufferings, were the happiest people one could meet.
For instance, many accounts of Saint Seraphim of Sarov describe how happy the Saint was. Remember, our Lord and Saviour tells us clearly to trust the All-Holy Trinity for our needs for He will always provide for His people (Matthew 6: 25-34). Therefore, let us place our trust in the All-Holy Trinity, for if we do our best in our work and pray sincerely and trust the All-Holy Trinity, all will work out for the best.
Finally, let us pray this week that our faith may be deepened and that we may learn to more fully trust the All-Holy Trinity.
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