Thursday, January 24, 2013
The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
Dear Friends,
A reading from St. Luke’s Gospel (16:19-31):
“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’ Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’ He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.’ But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'”
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It is extremely cold here these days. It is nearly minus 20 degrees Celsius.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord, the Son of God, given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“Remain close to Me My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters living in every country of the world. There are rich people in the world and they rely on their money and forget all about Me. They dress superbly and eat excellently but they do not care about the poor who are suffering from sickness and are starving. One day both the poor and the rich will die and the poor people will be taken to heaven while the rich who are full of pride will go down to hell. What is important My dear friends is that you follow Me while you are on earth. You are to love all your brothers and sisters and to help the poor and the sick. Be active Christians who pray regularly and go to church at least every Sunday. If you practice what I have told you, then indeed you will be with Me one day in heaven. You will enjoy everlasting happiness. Ask Me every day for the graces you need to follow Me. I bless you all.”
Father Melvin