‘There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham.* The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side.* He called out, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.” But Abraham said, “Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.” He said, “Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.” Abraham replied, “They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.” He said, “No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.” He said to him, “If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.”’
Luke 16:19-31
Questions for reflection as a separate option: How do we define wealth in our own lives? Do material possessions and status matter more to us than noticing and meeting the needs of others? Or do we prioritize relationships and how we treat and care for those in proximity? Where can I/we/we as a family identify a need right in front of us or nearby? What would it take to meet that need?
Prayer:
O Discerning Spirit, whose wisdom and guidance are available for all who are in Christ,
Quiet our minds to rest from the busyness of this day.
Reclaim this moment, holy even in the ordinary because you have ordained it.
Give us pause to acknowledge your presence.
Remove all distractions from the Truth of your infallible Word.
Help us to choose deep nourishment—to set down what we might otherwise exchange for the connection you freely offer.
Make us noticers of the things that matter to you—noticers of your people, noticers of your Creation, noticers of the calling you’ve placed on each of our lives.
Show us more of your hope for this world.
Tune our hearts to your still small voice.
Prompt us to be light-bearers, justice-seekers, mercy-bringers, grace-agents.
As we look to whatever might be next: a meal around the table, an important conversation, the end of the day, a drive somewhere, laundry, teach us to remember your ‘withness’ in each act and guide us to recognize them all as sacred.
Amen.
