Now is the Time

Jesus’ story in our Gospel for this Sunday (Luke 16:19-31) is a contrasting story of a rich man and poor man named Lazarus.

Jesus describes the rich man as exceedingly wealthy. He is dressed in purple and fine linen -- clothes fit for royalty. He feasts sumptuously at every meal. Everything about Jesus description of the rich man implies extraordinary riches, and conspicuous consumption.

Jesus is equally descriptive of poor Lazarus. He is not just poor, but destitute and so ill that he is abandoned and without support. He left to beg at the rich man’s gate. He is so weak that he could not prevent dogs from licking his sores, which would make him unclean. Lazarus is completely out of control, and dependent on others. While he longs for help, he receives none.

Both men suddenly die. Angels carry Lazarus to the bosom of Abraham or Heaven. The rich man, on the other hand, finds himself in Hades, a place of torment. From Hades the rich man sees Abraham and begs for help. However, Abraham tells him that he cannot help him, since “a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing” (Luke 16:26).

This story reminds us that at the very moment of death, our eternal fate is finally determined. We call this the Particular Judgment. This takes place immediately after death and before the Final Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46). The Catechism warns us, “Death puts an end to human life as the time open to either accepting or rejecting the divine grace manifested in Christ.”

We cannot change our eternal destiny after our death. There are no do overs or second chances. Purgatory is not a second chance for the unrighteous, but a place of purification for the blessed. The possibility of accepting or rejecting divine grace has ended.

At the end of our earthly life, there are only two possibilities, or two doors to eternity. Purgatory is not a third way, but the mud room of Heaven.

The rich man is not in torment for being rich, however, but because he did not cooperate with God’s grace and allow his heart to be fully submitted to God. Linking this story to our previous Gospel last Sunday, the rich man was called to “make friends on earth” with his unrighteous wealth (Luke 16: 9), so that he would instead have treasure in heaven.

As we observe in the life of Lazarus, we learn that the gateway to conversion is humility, complete and utter dependence on God, and submission to his will. It is precisely by being poor that Lazarus came to depend on God completely. We will explore this more next week, but faith is necessary for salvation. Faith is the full submission of the intellect and will to God with the ongoing aid of the Holy Spirit. Humility and dependence on God are necessary ingredients for the act of faith. As Jesus reminds us, “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours” (Luke 6:20).

Each one of us can also be poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3). We can humbly come before God and depend on him to give us true happiness. We can lovingly accept the sufferings of this present life, knowing that our eternal soul has far greater value than chasing the selfish dream of riches and comfort in this life. [Read more]