There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores.
Lk 16:19-31
EXEGESIS
The rich man was called ‘Dives’. He was really rich because: (1) his clothing was expensive. They say that the purple dye used to color his cloth was expensive as well as the material for the cloth. (2) His meals everyday was like a feast.
Lazarus was poor and handicapped. He was probably a beggar. The Italian translation says he is a ‘mendicante’. We know he is disabled because the gospel says he is lying (not sitting) at the door of Lazarus’ house. He was probably always hungry because he was ready to eat whatever fell from the table of Dives. Dives was probably eating in the Roman way. Romans would throw whatever they did not eat under the table. Slaves would come and sweep them away. Two other details serve to show how miserable Lazarus was, were the dogs that came to lick the sores. The sight of him with sores all over his body was revolting. The dogs together with pigs were considered animals of the lowest kind.
Next comes a description of heaven and hell. Dives is suffering and Lazarus is now in comfort. How is Dives suffering? He is thirsty. He is burning in hell. Lazarus is in the bosom of Abraham. It’s like John leaning against the chest of Jesus at the Last Supper. Heaven is up and hell is down and between them is a chasm.
Dives asks Abraham to send Lazarus and warn his five brothers. But Abraham says that if they do not heed the teachings of Moses and the Prophets, that is, the Bible, they would not be converted even if Lazarus himself were to come and warn them. Is this true? Jesus rose from the dead and the majority of the Jews did not believe in him.
PROBLEM
Did Dives go to hell just because he was rich?
Remember that Jesus used parables in order to call his hearers to conversion.
The gospel of this Sunday and the gospel of last Sunday are taken from the same chapter, chapter 16 of St. Luke. The key to understanding the parable of this Sunday is found in last Sunday’s gospel. And it is this: “I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.”
This requires some explaining. Dishonest wealth according to the New American Bible is how they translated the phrase "mammon of iniquity." Mammon means "that in which one trusts." When one is wealthy there is a tendency to trust not in God but in money. Why is wealth is called mammon of iniquity or dishonest wealth? Because of the tendency of money to lead one to dishonesty.
What was the advice of Jesus? Use wealth to do good. When you die, you will be welcomed to the eternal dwellings, that is, heaven.
Now we have the answer to the question: “Did Dives go to hell just because he was rich?” He went to hell not because he was rich but because he closed his heart to Lazarus who was just outside his house.
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The Salesians of Don Bosco is a religious congregation of priests and brothers dedicated to the welfare of the young. If you feel called by God to give your life for the good of the young, you may want help in discovering if this is really God's will for you. Please get in touch with the Vocation Director (Don Bosco North Province, Philippines) - 0917-7930112 - finvoc@yahoo.com - Bro. MON CALLO SDB.
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