Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
Of the most memorable parables of Jesus, today's story of Lazarus and the rich man must be at the top. And yet, despite its antiquity, it is so contemporary! The uncrossable chasm between rich and poor today is deeper and wider than ever before. If "Dives," as he has been called, could see Lazarus and the dogs by his gate in the first century, today's rich and poor are far more visible to one another with access through TV and the Internet. But they cannot get at one another; the security systems are tight, deeply layered, and efficient. As Father Abraham said,
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.’
The cost of education is prohibitive for all but the best students who are granted scholarships. Health care is more and more restricted as Baby Boomers health care workers retire, and their age mates overwhelm the system. And marketers, armed with metric-proven strategies, continue to exploit the poor with alcohol, tobacco, and state lotteries, while the wealthy lower their own taxes. Where is this trend going?
Fortunately, the Spirit of God leads us away from the Gospel of Success, and the Gospel of Prosperity, and the several other heretical gospels that seduce and plague us. I have noticed a new generation of churches who advertise their "do good/feel good" spirituality without suggesting that they also worship God. Noisy, exciting, and fun, they have no time for penance, and no expectation of atonement for centuries of criminal behavior. Are you married a dozen times? No problem! God forgets the past! And you can too!
But the "law of the Lord" still delights those who do not walk in the way of sinners, nor sit in the company of the insolent. We take our place in the pews within touching, smelling distance of one another and praise God for Jesus, our Lord and Savior. If we sometimes disagree and quarrel, we relent, repent and turn back to one another. We don't shop for the church that feeds us, we go to whichever church God sends us. Reform begins with me, not with my neighbor. Were I to find the perfect church, it would not be perfect after I joined it, so I make peace with the church where I belong. We close divides before they become chasms.
Clearly, Dives never suspected his impending doom. He had designed his world according to his own needs; to meet his desires, expectations, and fancies. We take our place with Lazarus and Jesus and wait for God's redeeming mercy.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.