Theme: Luke 16:19-31: Reversal of Fortunes

From the desk of Ms. Kathleen Cook, Director of Religious Education

Theme: Luke 16:19-31 Jesus tells the parable of the reversal of fortunes between the rich man and the poor man, Lazarus.

Summary: Jesus tells the Pharisees the story of a rich man and a poor man, Lazarus, who is covered with sores. The rich man did nothing to help Lazarus nor did he actively do anything to harm him, even though he was on the rich man’s doorstep. In fact, the rich man was indifferent to Lazarus, seeing him just as part of the landscape or an inanimate object. When they both died, Lazarus was with Abraham in heaven while the rich man was in torment. The rich man asked Abraham to send Lazarus down to him to give him some water, which was now impossible, as Lazarus could not cross the gulf between them. Abraham reminded him that in life he had good things while Lazarus had only difficulties that could have been alleviated by the rich man. The rich man pleads that Lazarus be sent to his family and warn them of the dangers of being indifferent to the plight of others. Abraham reminds him that they have the law and the prophets to direct them if only they would heed them.

Making the Connection (Grades 1, 2, and 3): Younger children are becoming less self-focused and more aware of others’ needs. Teach them that God calls us to share what we have with others, especially those in need.
 
Making the Connection (Grades 4, 5, and 6): Many children have developed a strong sense of fairness, of justice. Among the familiar refrains of childhood is “that's not fair.” We can build upon this sense of justice to teach about how God desires that all share in the goods of our world. In particular, God calls upon those who have material possessions to share from this wealth with those who are in need. We can also teach that our value in the eyes of God is not based upon our material possessions.
 
Making the Connection (Grades 7 and 8): Young people are encouraged by society to be very self-absorbed. By doing so, they can easily overlook the needs of others. In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus challenges us to think about sins of omission.

Scripture: "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 hell, 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.' Luke 16:19-24 

Jesus told a story about a rich man who wore the finest clothes and lived in luxury. A beggar named Lazarus lay outside the rich man's gate. Lazarus was hungry and his body was covered with sores. He was hoping that the rich man might have pity on him and that he might be able to satisfy his hunger with the leftovers from the rich man's table. But every day the Rich man passed by Lazarus without even giving him a thought. I imagine that he passed by Lazarus so many times that he eventually got to the point that he didn't see him at all.
Scripture says that Lazarus died and went to heaven. The rich man also died, but he went to hell. In hell, he looked up and saw Lazarus in heaven with Abraham. He asked Abraham to let Lazarus dip his finger in water and come and touch it to his burning tongue, but Abraham said, "No." Then he reminded the rich man how he had enjoyed such good things on earth while Lazarus had nothing.

The rich man then asked Abraham to allow Lazarus to go back to earth and warn his five brothers so that they would not end up in hell with him, but again, Abraham said, "No." The rich man finally woke up, but it was too late.
 Let us pray that they will listen to his voice and follow him before it is too late.
Dear Father, when you sound the alarm telling us it is time to wake up and follow you, may we never be guilty of hitting the snooze alarm saying, "Later, Lord." Instead, let us rise up and follow you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
 
 
My Promise to Jesus: Help me, Jesus, to make the world a better place. If I see a beggar in the street, I will pray for the person. I will not look away and pretend the person is not there.
 
Reflect: If a word or phrase from the Gospel captures your heart, sit quietly for several minutes, repeating it to yourself and asking God to show you how it applies to your life. What’s one thing you do to keep your focus on people like Lazarus?
 
Suggested book that compliments today’s Gospel:
http://scu.edu/character/build-plant-grow/
The Teddy Bear
Written by David McPhail
ISBN: 10:0-8050-7882-7
Pray that God will give you the heart to see the needs of others and to feel and act with compassion for that person each day and every day.

Family Discussion: Talk with your children about some of the things that they have that can be shared with others. Ask your children to describe a time when they had to share something that they had. Ask if this was easy or difficult and why. Talk about some of ways in which your family shares your possessions. Read together today's Gospel, Luke 16:19-31. Consider together some reasons why the rich man may not have shared his riches with the poor man, Lazarus. Identify some reasons why we might share our possessions with others. Make a commitment as a family to do something this week in which you will choose to share your possessions with someone in need.