Homily: September 25, 2022, Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

From the gospel, “He raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side”.

The poor man who went to heaven in this parable had a name: Lazarus. The rich man who went to hell had no name. Our name is our identity. Our relationship to God is our identity. And we are all children of God, He calls each of us by name, both on earth and in heaven. In another gospel passage Jesus told his disciples, “Rejoice because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).

The rich man may have enjoyed a life of comfort and luxury on earth, but he did not have a relationship with God. Thus in Jesus’ story, he had no name.

Now, how did Lazarus get to heaven? Was it because of his poverty. No.

How did the rich man end up in hell? Was it because of his wealth? Of course, not. What we have or have not, is not the deciding factor of our destiny after this life. 

Our eternity depends on how we use what we have been given. We do not know if the rich man committed any mortal sins in his life, but we do know that he did not do what he could with his wealth to relief another man in need, right in front of his house. He ignored the needs of Lazarus. Just sharing a little of what he had, he could have made life more bearable for Lazarus, gave him the dignity as a child of God, but he did not.

The rich man guarded his wealth more than the life of another fellow man. Thus, he disregarded God’s child in need, that means he disregarded God’s need.

At the final judgement, God will ask us six questions: “I was thirsty, did you give me a drink? I was hungry, did you feed me? I was naked, did you cloth me? I was in prison, did you visit me. I was a stranger, did you welcome me? I was sick, did you take care of me?”

Jesus told us “Whoever gives even a drink of cold water to one of these…will certainly receive a reward” (Mt. 10,42).

We all know what the Lord asks of us through scripture, through the warnings of the prophets, teachings of the church. Do we pay attention, do we put it to practice?

It is not how much of our surplus we have given, but how much of ourselves we are willing to give. What God has given to us is not for hoarding but for sharing. We are not owners but stewards.

There is a wise quote, “When God blesses you financially, don't raise your standard of living, raise your standard of giving." Not just finances, but every aspect of our life.

Our parish has both rich and poor people, in terms of talent, time and money. We are a diverse community. Let us all be mindful and look out for a poor Lazarus in need near us – be it monetary or otherwise.

Our identity is not rich man or poor man, we are all children of a God who first loved us, and so we are called to share this love with others. I pray that as we worship and celebrate the Eucharist together here at St. Ambrose, one day we may all adore the Lord and feast at His banquet together in heaven also. May all our names be written in heaven. Amen.