Son, remember that you received good things in your lifetime.

Son, remember that you received good things in your lifetime.

19 There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen; and feasted sumptuously every day.
20 And there was a certain beggar, named Lazarus, who lay at his gate, full of sores,
21 Desiring to be filled with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table, and no one did give him; moreover the dogs came, and licked his sores.
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. And the rich man also died: and he was buried in hell.
23 And lifting up his eyes when he was in torments, he saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom:
24 And he cried, and said: Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, to cool my tongue: for I am tormented in this flame.
25 And Abraham said to him: Son, remember that you received good things in your lifetime, while Lazarus evil things, but now he is comforted; and you are tormented.
26 And besides all this, between you, and us there is fixed a great chaos: so that they who would pass from here to there, cannot, nor from there to here.
27 And he said: Then, father, I beseech you, that you would send him to my father's house, for I have five brethren,
28 That he may testify to them, lest they also come into this place of torments.
29 And Abraham said to him: They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
30 But he said: No, father Abraham: but if one went to them from the dead, they will repent.
31 And he said to him: If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they believe, if one rise again from the dead.

Inspiration of the Holy Spirit - From the Sacred Heart of Jesus

The first part of this story shows how someone is very rich and lives a life of luxury while another human being is extremely poor and has nothing to eat.

But what is it that I see in the world now? I see many people who have plenty to eat, who live their lives in comfort but who do nothing for the poor. Many rich don’t see the poor personally because they live in different parts of the cities. Many rich avoid being in contact with them altogether, so they think most people live like them and even though they know about the poor, they don’t care.

Charity, compassion, love, …where are you? The more I give to men, the more they continue their injustice to the poor, oh, how they feel so secure while others are starving, how they close their eyes and pretend the poor don’t exist, how they invent new ways to oppress the lower classes.

But as in the story of the rich man and the poor Lazarus, the time will come when the poor will die, and the rich will die too, and they will find themselves in different dwellings. The rich will go to the poorest place and will be deprived of happiness and glory; they will suffer punishment for their injustices while the poor will go tho their heavenly mansion to enjoy eternal life. And there you will have my prophecy fulfilled that the first will be last and the last will be first.

There are many who have faith in God expecting to be rewarded with glory in the life to come but ignore the very requisites for their salvation: justice, charity and love.

He who is generous and gives to those in need will receive much from me, but he who practices avarice and injustice is condemning himself. The poor will always be in the world to give an opportunity to those who have more than them to be generous and to show their love. True love for your neighbour is the best proof that you love me. It is never too late to amend your lives and to begin a life full of charity.

Author: Joseph of Jesus and Mary