The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
路加福音 16:19-31
如好鏡子會反映對面的影像,天主正義的審判也將會反映我們的作為。在耶穌的比喻中,富翁沒有憐憫躺臥在他大門前的乞丐,所以當他渴求憐憫時,也沒有得到應允。在比喻中,這富翁揀選了世上的幸福,天天奢華地宴樂,乞丐拉匝祿卻受盡了苦;於是拉匝祿死後得到安慰,富翁死後卻要受苦。
可能許多人會問,有沒有人能在這一世和永生中都能脫免苦難?相信即使不是不可能,也是很難的事,因為從亞當犯了罪開始,人的一切勞動、貧困、悲傷和疾病等等的苦,都是罪的刑罰。即使人想脫離罪惡,每天要克服自己的慾望、憤怒、虛榮、驕傲等等,在靈性和肉體上都是痛苦的鬥爭,但如不背起自己的十字架,又怎能跟隨耶穌並且得救?
(本文以英文為準)
but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.$0″2$
Luke 16:19-31
As the best mirrors represents an image of the face opposite to it, so also is the just judgment of God adapted to our dispositions. Where the rich man because he did not pity the poor as Lazarus lay at his gate, is not heard when he needs mercy for himself. All this then because the rich man chose the happiness of the world, and loved no other life but that in which he proudly boasted; but Abraham said Lazarus received what was bad, because he knew that the perishableness of this life, its labors, sorrows, and sickness, are the penalty of sin, for we all die in Adam who by sin was made liable to death.
But many will ask, Is there no one who shall enjoy release, both here and there? This is indeed a hard thing if not impossible. For without the pressure of poverty, ambition urges; if not provoked by sickness, anger inflames; if not assaulted by temptations, corrupt thoughts often overwhelm. It is a bitter struggle to bridle anger, to check unlawful desires, to subdue the swellings of vain-glory, to quell pride or haughtiness, to lead an austere life. He that does not take up their cross and do these things cannot be saved.
參考 References:
Catena Aurea (St. Thomas Aquinas)
Homilies on the Beatitudes (St. Gregory of Nyssa)
Questions on the Gospels (St.Augustine)
Four Discourses (St. John Chrysostom)