Homily: Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time: 2007

Brothers and sisters, "My child," Father Abraham says kindly but firmly, "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." Lk 16: 25. Why should we be surprised when, in the next life, we find so many poor people in heaven? And rich people better watch out. If everything is going well for you financially -- well, there's your reward. Don't expect one in the next for that. Use your money wisely . . . open your heart . . . help the poor. And for all those trials you've had, all those times you suffered, when you hadn't enough to eat, or a place to stay, or health insurance -- well, you will be comforted. But the thing is, it's still not a sure thing. Even with all those trials and sufferings, you can lose your reward. I remember a priest listening to his adult sister complaining about something and he interrupted her. "Do you hear that?" he said. She said, "No." "Listen. Ptt. Ptt. Ptt. Hear that?" "No. What is it?" "It's the jewels falling out of your crown in heaven!"

So, let's smile and offer to Jesus, the magnanimous one, all our pains and losses and sufferings -- and reap the reward in heaven with Lazarus (whose name means "God helps," or "God will help") and all those like him.

I was kind of touched by the (nameless) rich man's request that Lazarus -- or someone -- be sent to his brothers even though he himself couldn't be saved. It wasn't possible, but you could feel the man's pain. I think it's wise that Father Abraham told him "they have the law and the prophets." And I think it's an important warning to us: remember that you can lose you salvation. (We know this, as opposed to some of our "once saved, always saved" Protestant brothers.) How your soul is at the moment of death determines your future. So try to always stay in a state of grace -- and don't just step over that beggar at your door.