Thursday, March 12, 2009

A Reflection on Luke 16: 19 – 31

You may be wondering why I chose this passage or parable. Some of you might think that it has nothing to do with us. But the parables of Jesus can be interpreted in many ways and different people have different perceptions. So let me explain how I perceive this passage.

There are three characters in this passage; the rich man, Lazarus (the poor) and Abraham. When the rich man was alive, he treated Lazarus as if he wasn’t there. He never bothered about Lazarus but only cared for his own interest and need. Only when he died and was suffering that he realised his mistake. .

The rich man in this passage represents the general population of the world today especially those who are rich and well to do. Lazarus represents the poor, the sick, the needy and those who are ousted by our modern society. Very often, we tend to close one eye to the suffering around us. We have the tendency to say “Let others help tem” because we do not wish to be involved. Sadly, I, too, sometimes behave in that manner. We are just too busy with our own lives.

The rich man’s sins were not merely the love of money but also the love of self. This parable shows how duplicitous our hearts can be. In our strive for happiness, we would do almost anything to achieve wealth, popularity or success. But when it comes to doing God’s work, we find it difficult to do. Our worldly pursuits and material gain often blinds us from the needs of those around us.

Today’s modern generation are brought up in a very materialistic way of life. Parents would often stress on getting good grades in studies so as to get a good job or so that they will not lose out to the rest. By the time the children grow up, all they have in their mind is the “I, me and myself” concept. There are many students who are like that. They think only of themselves most of the time. All they think of is to study, get good results and get a good job with a high salary. If they don’t get it, they’ll grumble and start blaming everyone else. This should not be the way.

Even for us who are working, the “kiasu/kiasi” mentality is slowly creeping in. I remember the one time when I saw a car sticker that says “You kiasu, I kiasi” and I thought to myself “What is happening to us?” We call it the “passion” for success but to what extent do we go in order to achieve that success? Do we ignore those along the way, those who are in need of our help? Do we say to them, “Sorry, but I’m busy” or do we say, “I’m busy but, here, let me lend you a hand first”?

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, this is the season of Lent. It is a season to help us relieve our spiritual journey by rediscovering God’s presence in those who are in need. Jesus once said "In truth I tell you, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me." (Mt 25:40) If we ignore those who are in need, we are also ignoring Jesus himself.

Be compassionate as God is compassionate to you. If we do not love others, especially those who are most in need of love, then how can we say that we love God? Only a hypocrite would do such a thing. By caring for the needy and showing our love, we receive God’s graces more abundantly. Do we want to end up like the rich man, or do we want to be like Lazarus? The choice is there for us, to let our hearts be set on material things or to open them to the needs of others.