“ If they do not listen to the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.” (Lk. 16:19-31)

The story presents us with a rich man who feasts and has fun, a symbol of the one who has placed himself at the center of everything. We also see a poor man named Lazarus, lying by the rich man’s door, ignored, excluded, helpless; covered with sores, longing to gorge himself on the crumbs that fall from his table.

The dialogue between the tormented rich man and Father Abraham punctuates the central message of Jesus. The rich man received good things on earth, but he did not know how to use them to receive the glory of the Lord. He kept them to himself, placed his security in them, and became insensitive to the needs of others. He closed in on himself and had no pity on poor Lazarus, who was so close to his home, yet so far from his heart.

This parable helps us to confront our actions and our hearts with the feelings and attitudes of Jesus; it invites us to review whether our lives are at the service of others and in what concrete way we have come out to meet their needs.