Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
One of the more interesting details in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, is that the dogs that come and lick Lazarus’ sores. I was wondering if this was a good thing or a bad thing, so I googled it. According to Google, it can be interpreted either way: either the dogs were showing compassion for Lazarus in their own doggie way, or this was a further degradation for poor Lazarus.
I remember a day a few years ago when I was living at the rectory of Holy Trinity Cathedral in downtown Kingston, Jamaica. I was just getting back from somewhere and was getting out of my car, when I stumbled over a crack in the pavement and fell over. One of the neighborhood dogs saw this and ran over to check on me, sticking his big face right into mine. He was concerned about me. So, I think the first interpretation, that the dogs were showing compassion for Lazarus, is probably the one intended by Jesus.
This is particularly so because then the compassion of the dogs for Lazarus stands in stark contrast to the complete indifference of the rich man. He is not mistreating Lazarus in any way. He is simply ignoring him. It is quite possible from the story that the rich man has not even noticed Lazarus. And this is what he does wrong. Enjoying nice things is not wrong in itself. Jesus himself often does this. But not paying attention and noticing others around us is wrong. And in particular not noticing when they are in need, and reaching out to them with compassion, and helping them in any way we can, is wrong.
The first and greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. The second commandment, which is like the first, is to love our neighbor as ourselves. Practically speaking, we show our love of God through showing love to our neighbor. Let us recognize the needs of the people around us and show compassion for them and give them any help we can.
Reflection by Fr. Aquinas Keusenkothen, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections