Comments on: The Rich Man and Lazarus 22nd Sunday after Pentecost http://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2009/11/07/the-rich-man-and-lazarus-22nd-sunday-after-pentecost/ St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, McKinney TX journal. Homilies, scripture commentary, spiritual reflections. Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:46:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Natalia Arzhantseva http://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2009/11/07/the-rich-man-and-lazarus-22nd-sunday-after-pentecost/comment-page-1/#comment-2347 Natalia Arzhantseva Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:23:02 +0000 http://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/?p=1305#comment-2347 Thank you! How many Lazarus we have around us! Some of them are in front of our eyes, and we either do not notice them, or do not want to notice. A totally seemingly ordinary person lives nearby, - our relative, or neighbour, or colleague...he is so ordinary that we do not descend to cast a little more attentive glance at him. We don't see his sufferings, or his illness, or his labors. He is not "high" enough in our eyes. We seek the height, spiritual, we are anxious to deal with more interesting people, who can teach or give us something we need in God. We forget that to obtain this high truth, we should be able to absorb at least a small portion of it. We forget that we should be not only listeners, but doers... Then this person dies. And it might be that soon after we feel emptiness. we miss him. we realize that we could serve him somehow, and have not done it, and there will be no more opportunities - at least with this particular person. We realize that this person needed us, needed at least a word of consolation, a kind glance...But we face another realization at the same time...that it's we who missed much, even more - we missed another chance to serve our neighbor, and in his image - to God Himself, and maybe another chance for our salvation. I also join Deborah's question, Father! It is very ample & interesting. Bless. Thank you!
How many Lazarus we have around us! Some of them are in front of our eyes, and we either do not notice them, or do not want to notice.
A totally seemingly ordinary person lives nearby, - our relative, or neighbour, or colleague…he is so ordinary that we do not descend to cast a little more attentive glance at him. We don’t see his sufferings, or his illness, or his labors. He is not “high” enough in our eyes. We seek the height, spiritual, we are anxious to deal with more interesting people, who can teach or give us something we need in God. We forget that to obtain this high truth, we should be able to absorb at least a small portion of it. We forget that we should be not only listeners, but doers…
Then this person dies. And it might be that soon after we feel emptiness. we miss him. we realize that we could serve him somehow, and have not done it, and there will be no more opportunities - at least with this particular person. We realize that this person needed us, needed at least a word of consolation, a kind glance…But we face another realization at the same time…that it’s we who missed much, even more - we missed another chance to serve our neighbor, and in his image - to God Himself, and maybe another chance for our salvation.

I also join Deborah’s question, Father! It is very ample & interesting.

Bless.

]]> By: Deborah http://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2009/11/07/the-rich-man-and-lazarus-22nd-sunday-after-pentecost/comment-page-1/#comment-2346 Deborah Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:49:44 +0000 http://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/?p=1305#comment-2346 Father, Bless, Thank you for this sobering wake up call. But, Father, please correct me if I am mistaken or have misunderstood--or simply missed something. Is not the fate of the souls held in torment before the Final Judgment somewhat of a mystery to us? Do we not pray for the souls of the departed in hope that through their suffering, the condition of their souls can be changed and God will have mercy on them before the Final Judgment? Is not Father Abraham's addressing of the rich man, who is now the beggar, as 'son', some indication that a relationship still exists and there is hope for him? Not hope for him to escape the terrible consequences of leading a life wholly and selfishly in the flesh, but hope for him to be changed through the torment and by the aid of our prayers into a redeemable soul? Any light you can give with regards to these questions will help and be greatly appreciated, as is all the teaching and information you share with us. Thank You and Please Forgive and Pray for, Deborah Father, Bless,

Thank you for this sobering wake up call. But, Father, please correct me if I am mistaken or have misunderstood–or simply missed something. Is not the fate of the souls held in torment before the Final Judgment somewhat of a mystery to us? Do we not pray for the souls of the departed in hope that through their suffering, the condition of their souls can be changed and God will have mercy on them before the Final Judgment? Is not Father Abraham’s addressing of the rich man, who is now the beggar, as ’son’, some indication that a relationship still exists and there is hope for him? Not hope for him to escape the terrible consequences of leading a life wholly and selfishly in the flesh, but hope for him to be changed through the torment and by the aid of our prayers into a redeemable soul? Any light you can give with regards to these questions will help and be greatly appreciated, as is all the teaching and information you share with us.

Thank You and
Please Forgive and Pray for,

Deborah

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