The parable in today's Gospel reading appears harsh, for it says that the rich will not get to heaven as they have their consolations on earth. Why did our Lord repeatedly warn us about this?

Are we not disturbed, or do we really think that only the rich are affected? Surely this lesson applies to us too. God expects His people to share their 'wealth' (which varies individually), and their talents with the less fortunate. He will not condone our going around, seeing what we see, and not lifting a finger to remove the misery and suffering of the poor and needy.

Jesus was a compassionate saviour of the poor. He was a social critic and when His time came, He gave of Himself on the Cross for you and me.

The choice is for us to make. Heaven awaits those who do good, for Jesus said, "you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous" (Lk. 14:12-14). The rich man in the parable did nothing to help poor Lazarus. Thus, he was guilty of the sin of "the things I failed to do". It was too late giving excuses after his death.