Rev. John Campoli, i.v.dei
His Love Ministries

There were two major league baseball players, a catcher and a pitcher. They were not only good friends but also men of faith. They both loved baseball so much that they could not imagine being happy in heaven if there were no baseball there. So, they made a pact that whoever died first would try to come back and report whether there was baseball in heaven or not.

Shortly after this agreement, the catcher suddenly died and entered his eternal reward. A couple of months later, being a man of his word, he appeared in a dream to his friend. “I have good news and I have bad news,” he said. “Which do you want to hear first?” The pitcher responded, “I’ll take the good news”. “Well, the good news is this: there definitely is baseball in heaven. The field is perfect, the crowd is always supportive, and I play every day,” said his friend. “Wonderful,” said his friend. “What’s the bad news?” “Well, the bad news is, I’m looking at the board posting the players for tomorrow’s game, and you are scheduled to pitch.”

We all must confront the reality of passing from this life to the next, whether it happens with warning or unexpectedly. At that moment, we will be accountable for the lives we have lived. This is why it is important to reflect on Jesus' teaching in today's parable. Though it may be unsettling, it carries a significant message about the fate of a rich man who, despite his many blessings, failed to attain eternal life.

Why did he fail? The parable does not suggest that he was dishonest or unkind. There is no indication that he was ungrateful for what he had. In fact, he appeared to be someone who enjoyed life and generously shared his wealth with family and friends, feasting lavishly every day. Furthermore, the parable does not imply that he mistreated the poor man, Lazarus, who sat at his gate. The rich man neither insulted nor abused Lazarus; he simply did not acknowledge him.

Lazarus represents those in our lives today. He is the individual in our school or office who seeks respect but faces ridicule each day. She is the person struggling with mental illness, often perceived as odd and undervalued. He is our next-door neighbor who recently lost his wife of forty years, lingering in the driveway as we come home, yearning for companionship.

Jesus calls us to notice Lazarus at our door, and to reach out and cross the gulf that isolates us from him. He calls us to do this in a very personal and specific way. It is important to notice in the parable that the rich man did not ignore all the beggars in Israel, but only Lazarus who was closest to him.

We cannot be expected to reach out to the millions of people without health care or the tens of millions who are dealing with grief. But we can be expected to notice the Lazarus who sits at our gate. Who is he? What is her name?  You know it. The name is coming to your mind right now. That person is the person that the gospel calls you to recognize, to notice, and to touch. Do not ignore him or her. Do not pretend that the need of one so near to you is not your concern.

There is good news and bad news in today’s gospel. The bad news is that we are very likely ignoring people who are close to us and who are in need. The good news is that there is still time to change. Lazarus is at our door. Jesus calls us to notice him and  let our love make a difference. Reach out, cross the gulf that presently separates you from him. After death, it will be too late. Be doers of the Word, not just hearers.