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Sunday Reflection with Fr Robin Gibbons - 29 September 2013


Fr Robin Gibbons

Fr Robin Gibbons

26th Sunday of the year C

When I was younger the phrase ’in the bosom of Abraham’ used to amuse but perplex me, it conjured up all kinds of images, but what exactly did it mean? Well I know now, it’s a phrase that means Lazarus (in this instance) is reclining at table next to Abraham as the guest of honour at the feast of heaven, a picture that conjures up John reclining next to Jesus at the last supper. He is with the blessed whilst his old neighbour lies in torment, hungry and thirsty in Hades.

What has the rich man done? We aren’t told and the story does not indicate he had done much wrong except ignore Lazarus. Let’s look at the context though, Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees, people who were meticulous about observance of the Law. What is he trying to tell them? If we understand that Lazarus means ‘God helps’ we suddenly begin to see what Jesus is driving at. Lazarus and those like him are the ‘poor’ to whom the Kingdom of Heaven belongs, those loved by God. The rich man, his brothers and the Pharisees are those who pay lip service to the real meaning of the Law and the Prophets and do not ‘listen’ or perceive God’s call to love in daily life. It is the poor and oppressed who trust in the Lord and who find his loving mercy.

What about us? Paul tells Timothy to be properly religious, not caught up with outward show or the detailed laws of observance but ‘ filled with faith and love, patient and gentle’ which is what Lazarus exemplifies. The Prophet Amos reminds us that we must not be like those who feel safe and snug, living it up whilst ignoring the poor.

We might be tempted to think we aren’t like these people, but Jesus is going to challenge us not to become like them. The living Word of God tells us to look after the spiritual, emotional and material needs of those who are our neighbour, but also go well beyond the immediate and reach out to the little ones of life. The question we need to ask ourselves is not only ‘who is our neighbour’ but who is our Lazarus? We cannot afford to be self satisfied like the rich man, like Lazarus we must long for our fulfillment in God.

Fr Robin Gibbons is an Eastern Rite Chaplain for the Melkite Greek Catholics in Britain.

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