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Gospel Reading for March 05, 2026 – Luke 16: 19-31
INDIFFERENCE
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.'”
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No one wants to hear the words, “It is too late,” no matter the circumstances. We try to console ourselves with phrases like “better luck next time” or “charge it to experience.” But this “too late” in the gospel of today, offers no next time, no second chance, no new opportunity. And that is truly regrettable.
When we ignore the poverty and suffering of others and think only of ourselves, we forget that we are not the only ones God created. Whatever gifts we possess, whatever skills we have developed, whatever wealth or property we have acquired—none of these are ours alone. Without God, we would have nothing. Everything is grace, entrusted to us not just for ourselves, but for others as well.
This is why the Last Judgment in Matthew 25:31–46 centers on how we have treated the hungry, the thirsty, the sick, the naked, the stranger, and the imprisoned. In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls us to social awareness and personal responsibility in alleviating the suffering around us. Christianity can never be compatible with INDIFFERENCE, because to be Christian is to see and serve Jesus in others—especially in those most in need.
Lord Jesus, teach us your ways, that we may not come to that terrible moment of being “too late” to enter heaven!
