Lessons from the parable of Lazarus and Dives

The Lord Jesus, in Sunday’s Gospel given to us from the Evangelist St. Luke, tells us a very interesting parable, one about the rich man, Dives, and the poor man, Lazarus. We should note that the Lazarus of this parable is not the same Lazarus about whom we read in John’s Gospel, the dear friend of the Lord Jesus, the brother of Mary and Martha, but merely a character in this powerful parable. And, it should also be noted that, if we read the story, the rich man in the parable is not ascribed a name. The name “Dives” which he is sometimes called, is just the Latin word meaning “rich man.” 

The story of Lazarus, who spends his days outside the house of a rich man, begging and ill, so infirm that he could not even stop the dogs from coming over and licking his sores, and Dives, a wealthy man, can teach us many things. First, it can teach us that, in the end, we are all the same; second, it can teach us that some people, no matter what, will not change; and third, it can teach us that there are very real, very eternal consequences for how we live our life here on Earth. 

First, this parable of Lazarus and Dives can teach us that, in the end, we are all the same. Look at Dives, with his fine food, comfortable clothes and extravagant lifestyle. He was in the lap of luxury in this life. Look at Lazarus, a poor, sick beggar. He was in torment in his life, so downtrodden was he in his life. And, in the final moments, death came for both of them. Both were mortal men and both one day met their maker. Dives could take none of his possessions with him to the netherworld; and in the justice that is Christ, Lazarus rests comfortable in the bosom of Abraham, our father in faith. As Emily Dickinson wrote:  

“Because I could not stop for Death, He kindly stopped for me” 

Second, this parable of Lazarus and Dives can teach us that some people, no matter what, will not change. Even in death, Dives is still trying to get what he wants done, trying to get others to do what he wants when he wants it. Even in the netherworld, he still is trying to have Lazarus go and warn his brothers of the fate that awaits them if they do not repent. “Send Lazarus …” “Tell Lazarus to dip his finger …” Apologies without a change of behavior is merely insincere manipulation. 

Third, this parable of Lazarus and Dives can teach us that there are very real, very eternal consequences for how we live our lives here in this life. We need to be aware of the four last things of our faith: death, judgment, heaven, and hell. By living our lives in accordance with the commandments, by being women and men of mercy and justice, we determine our eternal fate. The Catechism of the Catholic Church #1035 tells us: “The teaching of the Church affirms the existence of hell and its eternity. Immediately after death the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell, “eternal fire.” The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God, in whom alone man can possess the life and happiness for which he was created and for which he longs.” 

Yes, this parable of Lazarus and Dives is one from which we can learn many lessons. Pray this week for the grace to appreciate the gifts of God given to us in this life so that we can be with him in the next. 

Fr. John P. Cush is a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn who serves as Academic Dean of the Pontifical North American College, Vatican-City State. He holds a Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome. Fr. Cush is a lecturer in Theology and U.S. Catholic Church History at the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, both in Rome.