The rich man and the poor Lazarus.

There are various lessons from the parable of the rich man and the poor Lazarus. First is the reality of God’s justice. The just will be rewarded with eternal happiness, with “the kingdom prepared for them from the beginning of the world.” Those in sin will be sent into eternal hell fire: “Go, cursed people, out of my sight into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels.”

Second is the importance of our listening to and reflecting on God’s word to assist us in this life. God’s word is given to us in the Scriptures, in the teachings of the Church (in formal Church documents, in homilies and exhortations and, guided by the Spirit, in our own reflections on the Scriptures) “They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.”

Third is the special care the Lord has for the poor and the poor in spirit and his warnings about riches: “Fortunate are those who have the spirit of the poor, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” “Do not store up treasure for yourselves here on earth where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves steal. Store up treasure for yourself with God, where no moth or rust can destroy nor thief come and steal it.” “Yes, believe me: it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for the one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.”