In this weekend's edition of There's more in the Gospel than meets the eye,
Jill Bevilacqua and Seàn-Patrick Lovett bring us readings and reflections for the
Twentysixth Sunday of the Year. Listen:
GospelLk 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.”