Friday 27 April 2007

Today we begin a look at a parable that isn't noted directly as being a parable in Luke. But...it sure feels like one - the rich man and Lazarus.

"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. (Luke 16:19-21)

I was going to stop today with the simple description of the rich man. What a picture of abundance and wealth this is! At this point in the story there is nothing wrong with the picture. Wealth is not bad in and of itself. In fact, most often across our globe, those who are wealthy are often the ones others consider blessed and hard-working and even, honorable. It is not until we see this wealth side-by-side with the poverty of Lazarus and the conditions poverty creates. Today I'm simply struck once again at how wealth and poverty, rich and poor, play into the central concerns of Scripture. I know this is the case in Luke...but it is throughout the Bible. I'm finishing up the book "Infidel" by Ayann Kirsi Ali and noticing how much of the daily routine of life deals with sex and sexuality - as though it is the most important concern of religious people. I mention this because though it is a book about a woman breaking free of the culture of Islam and what she sees as its oppressive manner of looking at sexuality and especially that of women, it is much like how much time and energy Christians spend on sexuality. And yet, it allows both religions to forget about the oppressive and daily separation between the rich and the poor. In this parable, we have a person by whom the rich man or his family and slaves would walk regularly. Lazarus was not an unknown part of the culture. And yet, he living as a dog next to the wealth of the rich man - a dog willing to eat scraps from the table while the other dogs like his wounds. The contrast is amazing. And yet the contrast is not one unknown to us. While we often say much about sex and point fingers and use words that degrade sexuality and sexual identity, we would do well to turn our attention to that which is right in front of us and most pressing. But then....who could be blame for the evil in the world?!?

Connection: I'm not sure how we each can bring a bit of life and fellowship and kindness across the border between the rich (most of us) and the poor (most of the people in our world). Again, it begin with today and it begins with working with others in order to open all of our eyes and lives.

Lord of all, it is by your Spirit that we step out of our routines and begin to engage the world around us and the many people around us from whom we have let ourselves become separated. It is so easy to stay separated and ignore others...and yet, we hear your command to love our neighbor - all of them. By the power of your Spirit, give us the eyes of compassion that will not walk by those who are your beloved and also our brothers and sisters. Amen.