Febuary 29th Lenten Reflection

Luke 16:19–31

Jesus said, "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, `Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.' But Abraham said, `Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.' He said, `Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father's house-- for I have five brothers-- that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.' Abraham replied, `They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.' He said, `No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to him, `If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'"

If I would have only known

A Reflection by The Rev. Brian K. Gross

In our scripture today we hear Jesus tell the tale of a rich man who is sent to Hades for the way he lived. Finding out it is too late for him he asks Abraham to go to his brothers and warn them to change their ways so they don’t suffer the same fate. Abraham tells the man that Moses and the prophets have already told everyone how they should live and there is no reason they will listen to one who is resurrected. Jesus isn’t telling this story simply to describe the existence of heaven and hell or to scare people into living better. He is telling the story to show that there are those who do not hear what God has been telling them all along through the laws and the prophets that still will not hear or see God’s desire for them through the words and life of Jesus. Not even with the resurrection of Jesus. Just as the laws of Moses and the words of the prophets have always been known to the people, they are known to us now though the scriptures. With that knowledge and the knowledge of the birth, life, teachings, and resurrection of Jesus how can we ever say “If I would have only known?” How could we possibly not know what God asks of us? To love God, love each other, and love ourselves. We know it. We just need to do it.