Lazarus waiting at the door, detail, 11th century, frescoMuseo Nacional d’Art Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain

The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus is a message about wealth, compassion, and the consequences of personal choices. This passage reminds us that wealth does not guarantee a favorable outcome in the afterlife. Instead, it is a person's character and actions that have eternal significance. In this passage, the poor man at the gate, known as Lazarus, faces an arrogant, unnamed rich man. Hear these words from The Gospel According to St. Luke 16: 19-23

There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, the dogs came and licked his sores. So it was that the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Here ends the reading.

Thanks Be to God.