OBITS

Recently a copy of the Jerusalem Herald (circa the year 30) was unearthed, including two obituaries therein. One said, Dives Silverstein died yesterday. He led a very successful life; was well liked and respected by his peers, many of whom attended his funeral. He was known to open his home to stray dogs and the homeless, whom he knew by name, earning God’s gracious reward. He is survived by five brothers.

The second obituary said, Lazarus (last name unknown) was found dead in a back alley. He never amounted to much in this life. Only God’s mercy will provide him a better one in the next.

   

But, as we've been told, God’s ways are not our ways.

St. Luke tells us that Lazarus ended up in heaven; Dives in hell. Why?

What did God see in them? What does God see in us?

We don’t know much about Lazarus; don’t know why he received a heavenly reward.  We know only a little bit more about Dives.

If we judge his life according to the 10 Commandments, which are used by many to guide their life, it’s hard to see which commandment he broke.

Moreover, he let Lazarus sit at the feet of his table. How many of us would let a homeless person sit at ours, or even in our yard? He even knew Lazarus by name.  Would we take the time? 

And from hell he doesn’t respond with anger or jealously but politely requests some help...a bit of water.  Even when suffering in hellfire, his thoughts are on saving his five living brothers from ending up where he is now.

A pretty remarkable man…Why then did he end up in hell?

Perhaps, Dives had no time for God during his lifetime, making himself the captain of his ship, sailing according to his own discretion, separating himself from God so that after death there was no way to bridge the chasm. 

Or perhaps he lived religiously the 10 Commandments but merely living by them, without the essence of love, was not enough to save him (or us).       

Maybe that’s why Jesus gave us the Beatitudes, about identifying with the poor and suffering, working for and being people of peace and justice, being gentle and righteous, merciful and pure of heart (which along with love God and love neighbor make ten...Jesus' ten Commandments).

Perhaps when it comes to entry into the kingdom of God, simply being good is not good enough.

Perhaps it is not enough that we should avoid doing any harm; we must actively reach out and share our lives and possessions with the less fortunate (for their sake and ours). 

It seems that it is not enough to be concerned about the wellbeing of one’s immediate family; any person in need must become like a member of our family, meriting our concern.

In short, it is not good enough to be posthumously benevolent; we must be generous while here on earth.                                                             

Or as a mystic said 800 years ago, You should forget about knowing God, unless you are willing to love the world with great abandon. 

As we’ve heard before, such as in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, extravagant love of even the unworthy is what this journey is all about…it is how we become most like God…and are invited to the heavenly banquet.