Thursday, March 16, 2017
20170316 Gospel Lk 16:19-31
Jesus said to the Pharisees: "There was a
rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously
each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with
sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the
rich man's table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man
died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also
died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he
raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried
out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his
finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these
flames.' Abraham replied, 'My child, remember that you received what was good
during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he
is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a
great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go
from our side to yours or from your side to ours.' He said, 'Then I beg you,
father, send him 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.' But Abraham replied,
'They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.' He said, 'Oh no,
father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' Then
Abraham said, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will
they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'"