Listening Outside the Box

"If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead." Lk 16:31

The story of the rich man and Lazarus is always disconcerting. The rich man's refusal to listen to the "cry of the poor" condemns him, and will do the same to us if we are not more responsive to those most in need.

Jesus is clear in this story. The leaders of the Jewish community  are "rich." They are respected and empowered, but their refusal to listen "outside the box" of Torah interpretation condemns them. Resistant to the full power and freedom that Moses and the prophets proclaimed, they will also turn their spirits away from Jesus in his suffering, death and resurrection.

Care must be taken when reading this telling Gospel. In no way is it intended to undermine Jewish law or its people. Rather, it strikes at those in any religious tradition who hold onto to their power as a personal possession rather than as a gift from God. God has set us free and we should do nothing to deny this gift to any person. A faith filled life cannot be reduced to blind obedience but must express itself in joyful service of all God's creatures.

Today, live joyfully in the freedom from fear given to us by Jesus.

What is your best experience of the freedom of the sons and daughters of God?