26th Sunday - C

Commentary

Luke 16: 19-31

The Friend “Lying at the Door”

Last week, Jesus told us to “make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” (16: 9)

Today’s Gospel parable is also taken from the same Chapter 16 in Luke, separated from that command by 10 verses, with Jesus’ brief teachings on some other topics.

Unfortunately, the rich man in today’s parable fails to make friends with his earthly wealth. 

The opportunity was there.  Lazarus was found “lying at his door.”  He even knows Lazarus by name.  For sure he knew the man because now, though being separated from Lazarus by that “great chasm,” he could still recognize Lazarus. 

Yet, he did nothing! 

The parable is quite clear on who we should make friends with.