Pentecost XVIII

By The Rev.  Martha Frances+
Year C,  Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost; Proper 21
30 September  2007 

Text: Luke 16: 19-31. Other Reading: Jeremiah 32:1-3a,6-15; Psalm 91:1-6,14-16; 1Timothy 6:11-19

      Quite a drama we have here today in our parable of the rich man & Lazarus.  All today's Bible readings talk about reversal of fortunes.  We'll focus on the play we have acted out in Jesus' parable.

      The 1st act opens in the home of a filthy rich man.  History has called the rich man "Dives" but that simply means "rich."  We don't know his real name.  We know from the description, however, that he lives in what we call today "conspicuous consumption."  Only royalty can wear the purple he is covered in, & he eats "sumptuously," we're told. 

      Separated from him by table & gate, & out with the dogs lays the beggar Lazarus who has one thing the rich man doesn't have:  a name which means "God helps."  I'll bet Lazarus has to grimace at that name since it must not seem like God helps him at all in life.  In fact, we learn that Lazarus doesn't even choose where he's to beg; he has been thrown out at the rich man's door to beg with the dogs.  Now many of you know Sebastian, my 4-legged child whom I adore.  These dogs aren't pets; they are wild dogs that we would call "curs."  Even they have it better than Lazarus.  Lazarus longs to satisfy his hunger with what falls from the rich man's table, & I'm reminded of that gospel song which describes God's actions, in part, with "You satisfy my longing as nothing else can do."  It is with just such yearning that Lazarus must ache in his belly.  Actually, we have to guess how Lazarus feels since we aren't privy to his thoughts or feelings.  In fact, no action happens at all in Act I except for the rich man's pigging out.

      Act II opens when Lazarus dies & is carried by angels into the bosom of Abraham, as our song this morning tells us.  The bosom of Abraham is a place of intimacy, and Lazarus is finally getting the care & nurturance he needs.  The angels choose Lazarus' eternal resting place, & this sounds to me like a heavenly banquet.  Finally, Lazarus has it made!

      "The rich man also died & was buried."  That's all the text tells us, except he ends up in Hades being tormented, at least partially by having Lazarus in full sight at the bosom of Abraham.  Poor man!  All he can think of is his own selfish needs.  There's still no action in either scene except for Lazarus' being fed.

      As Act III begins, the rich man begs Abraham to let Lazarus dip his finger in water to cool his tongue.  I guess he assumes that Lazarus' purpose even in the after-life is to serve him.  This conversation with Abraham—notice that no one talks to Lazarus at all—assures us that the rich man had been aware of Lazarus at his gate with the dogs; he even knows Lazarus' name. 

      Abraham shows compassion to the rich man, calling him "Child" in this translation.  Abraham simply states the obvious—the tables are reversed from their situations in life.  Further, such a yawning abyss separates them that there's no crossing over.  At this point, we know that the judgment is final. 

      Finally, the rich man shows some uncharacteristic concern for someone else, albeit his 5 brothers!  Can Lazarus just go warn them so they won't make the same mistakes?  Lazarus is still the rich man's errand boy.  Clarence Jordan who wrote a version of the gospels in deep Southern accents, has Abraham respond to this request, "Lazarus ain't gonna run no mo' yo' errands, rich man."  In addition, Abraham explains that, if the brothers don't listen to the expectations for all observant Jews written in Moses & the prophets, they certainly won't listen to Lazarus. 

      The sin of the rich man is that he puts his trust in the world instead of God, not heeding God's basic call to God's people to care for one another.  Do you remember the admonition we heard last week, "We cannot serve both God & money"?  Here, Jesus makes his own expectations pretty clear in 3 short acts. 

      I think we can see that this rich man is plenty frustrated, isn't he?  Of course, this is a parable so it's a story to make a point.  God expects us to be neighborly towards others.  It's more than just pity; it's an attitude of the heart.

      It's interesting that Jesus told this & other stories to poor people as well as rich.  Jesus clearly expected all of us to learn this attitude of the heart which involves our finding ways we can be Christ for other people.  Each has something to give, & it's not always a material thing.  There's a common adage that 20% of the people do 80% of the work in a church community, & around here, there's enough for everyone to do something.  Just what kind of community would this be if every parishioner took on the responsibility to even one ministry of the church?  All of us are called to grapple with the scriptures, pray for one another & the larger world community, & thankfully receive Christ's body & blood in the sacred meal of the Eucharist. 

      When you sing & pray & listen & respond with enthusiasm & vigor, you display your trust in God.  When you take the prayer of confession which we'll say in a few minutes seriously & believe the absolution which I offer to you in God's name, when you put those sins behind you & intend to lead a new life, then you open yourself to being nurtured by the bread & wine of the communion & to be strengthened to respond sincerely, "God, transform me, convert me to be the person you created me to be."  At Hope, we sing & pray & celebrate, welcoming Christ into your life all over again today, assured that you are indeed bathed in the Christlight which Christ invites you also to show forth in your life to others. As Doug will share with you in a few minutes, we are all called to be the hands & feet & heart of this community. 

      Afraid you can't maintain the attitude of heart & strength of character which Christ calls you to?  Of course you can't; not alone!  The parable reminds us that Abraham nurtures Lazarus with the food he needs, bread for the journey.  And none of us is expected to travel alone.  We're a community here.  Come & celebrate & rejoice with us.  Come study the scriptures with us daily.  Be present at Christ's table regularly to receive Christ's body & blood.