The Twenty-Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time presents the sobering parable of the rich man and Lazarus. This story confronts us with the eternal consequences of how we treat the poor and the finality of death's judgment.
Jesus paints a stark contrast:
"'Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day. A certain beggar, named Lazarus, was taken to his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s ta…" — Luke 16:19-21
The rich man lived in luxury while Lazarus lay at his gate, so destitute that dogs licked his sores. Note that Lazarus is the only character in Jesus' parables given a name—a name meaning "God helps."
Both men die, and their fortunes are reversed:
"The beggar died, and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far off, and Lazarus at his bosom." — Luke 16:22-23
The rich man begs for relief, but Abraham explains that a great chasm separates them that cannot be crossed.
The rich man then asks that Lazarus be sent to warn his brothers. Abraham responds:
"'But Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’" — Luke 16:29, 31
The Twenty-Sixth Sunday confronts comfortable Christianity. The rich man's sin was not active cruelty but callous indifference—Lazarus lay at his gate, and he did nothing. We who have "Moses and the Prophets"—and indeed One who has risen from the dead—are without excuse. How we treat the poor reveals what we truly believe about God.