Wednesday 2 May 2007

The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus moves along to its end.

"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) The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. (Luke 16:22) 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.' (Luke 16:23-26) 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 27-31)

Everyone seems to want special attention or another chance or a special event to come about to bring everything in line with how we would like the world to be. Don't you think it odd that this rich man still wants Lazarus to be involved in the saving of his brothers? Lazarus was pretty much ignored while he was alive - his hunger and sores and poverty completely missed - none of those associated with the rich man probably even knew he died. So...that would be like sending a poor person to deliver a message - who is going to listen to Lazarus even now. More important for all of us the note that what needs to be heard is what is already available. Go to the writings you have. Here it is Moses and the Prophets. It is enough. From those scriptures and adding now the Christian scriptures we are handed a gift for life - life always - life eternal. These writings are not as so much filled with what we must do; they are filled with the reminder of who we are in relationship to God. That identity is what creates transformation. If I see my self as a rich man and my wealth defines me, there is a good chance that I will not let my identity as a beloved child of God rule my life. Too often the concrete stuff around us begins to rule us very quickly and quite thoroughly. I find the rich man to be like someone who expects solve the conditions of the world with a plan. He may be one of the original backers of self-help books. "If only...I had read...If only I bought...If only I made that team." No. Rather than stepping forward into life we make for ourselves, it is better for us to step back into the story that is eternally for us. Nothing can defeat that word - or separate us from its life - death - resurrection.

Connection: The story telling of our lives is the story in which we are setting off today. It has already started - it is already blessed - it is a part of who and whose we are. It can make a difference in how we move through the gift that is this day.

We give you thanks, O God, for the simple gift of you story of love that is the power to halt us and pull us and deliver us into the power of your Reign of love and peace and justice. You give us eyes to see how your love is the light for this day. Amen.