Luke 16:19-31 (NRSV)
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Verse 19"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. Verse 20And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, Verse 21who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. Verse 22The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. Verse 23In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. Verse 24He called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.' Verse 25But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Verse 26Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.' Verse 27He said, 'Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father's house- Verse 28for I have five brothers-that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.' Verse 29Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.' Verse 30He said, 'No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' Verse 31He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'"
Devotion
We’ve been called all week to an awareness of the oppressed, and perhaps to change some of the things we may do, to be sure that the oppressed are looked at, noticed, and helped. How might you consider this parable of Lazarus and the rich man and consider issues that belong to both sides. Keep in mind that both sides make mistakes. Remember we are in this world together and we are to keep the commandment to love one another. Help us in our agony to not worry about ourselves but instead to think back and to think how to care for others in their agony. Can we contribute to a reversal of the common tendency of our world to make divisions among a perceived higher class and the oppressed? Can we give enough and serve enough that those two classes are equally valued?
Prayer
God, lead us to make steps toward reversal of common prejudices around age and class. Help us to serve one another with such ease and comfort that we do not contribute to unhelpful distinctions between the rich and the Lazaruses of our society. Amen.
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