Radically open to share
From today’s Scripture: “Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.” —Lk 16:27-28
As we listen to the story of the rich man and Lazarus, we realize that it is not a warm and fuzzy Gospel but one that challenges us to our core. Have we become comfortable with the goods of this world? Do we depend on wealth more than on God? A false security from the comforts of this world can make us afraid to share what we have.
Reflect on how we treat the Lazarus’ who come into our life: those who are sick, abandoned, suffering, marginalized. As Christians we must be radically open to share what we have with those who are in need.
According to St. Ambrose, “You are not making a gift of your possessions to the poor person. You are handing over to him what is his. For what has been given in common for the use of all, you have arrogated to yourself. The world is given to all, and not only to the rich.”
Let us pray: Loving God, you hear the cries of the poor. Help me to open my ears to those cries as well and, in doing so, open my heart to respond. Help me to break my habits of possessing, spending, and consuming and instead find a way to share.
Today’s author is Brother David Henley, Vocation Director for Glenmary Home Missioners.
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