New American Bible

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Assignment
The Rich Man and Lazarus Parable
1) Christ was preaching to his disciples and the Pharisees. Luke 16:1 clearly says Jesus was preaching to his disciples. According to Luke 16:14 the Pharisees were also listening. “the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening….” (New American Standard Bible. Luke16.1).
2) It is important to know the intended audience to understand the message Jesus intended to pass. Christ was targeting the Pharisees with this parable, their love for money and pretense.
3) The parable features three characters. The rich man, Abraham, and a beggar that Jesus referred to as Lazarus. The rich man was symbolic of the Pharisees “who were lovers of money” (Luke 16.14). Lazarus symbolized the oppressed in the society. The name Lazarus means “assistance of God or “whom God helps”.
4) At the end of the parable, it is still clear that the rich man is clueless about the lesson. In Luke 16:24 he calls for Abraham to have mercy on him and send Lazarus “so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water” (Luke 16.24). He still believes he is a master. Without understanding what he had was earthly power and riches.
5) The Central point in the parable is the glorification of material possession more than love and compassion for our fellow humans. The rich man cannot show mercy, love, nor compassion but suffers eternally in the afterlife.
6) The parable gives hope by teaching the poor not to give much attention to worldly treasures.

It gives hope there is justice to those oppressed here on earth. In Luke 16: 25 Abraham remind the rich man how on the earth he “received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things” (Luke 16.17) but situations are interchanged after judgment.
7) The rich are encouraged not to be indifferent to the plight of the poor. They are encouraged to show love, compassion, and sympathy to those in need.
8) The parable serves to depict to us how our actions impact people around us. Christ is telling us the day of reckoning is coming and we will be judged in accordance with our actions. The parable warns of adverse consequences if we continue flourishing at the expense of others.
9) Evans refers to the textbook as “Lazarus at the Table” to signify how tables have turned. The parable begins with the rich man who lived in splendor and Lazarus who yearned to feed on remains from the affluent man table. The parable ends on a completely different note. The rich man is in agony while Lazarus has found comfort next to Abraham. So, Lazarus is at the table, while the rich man is begging for his help.
10) Understanding the teachings of the parable have challenged me to give more to charity organizations. It has made me realize all is vanity, and I should use what I have to make the world a better place for everyone.
Work Cited
The New American Bible: Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2002.