Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: September 28, 2025

Date: 26^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text:  Luke 16:19-31

Jesus said to the Pharisees:

"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 gofrom 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.'"

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

Today’s gospel presents us with Jesus’ familiar parable about Lazarus, the beggar, and the rich man. Both die, but their post death experiences are different. The rich man begs for kindness from Lazarus but is denied because of the chasm between heaven and hell. Then the rich man begs that Lazarus be sent to his living brothers to warn them of the consequences of their present decisions and actions. The final line is dramatic: “neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead” referring to Jesus’ resurrection and those who still denied Him and His true identity.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Am I observing others the LORD puts in my path? Am I seeking to help others as needed? Or am I too worried about what I want in a moment to consider the eternal consequences of my choices?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Most Holy Spirit, we lift our prayers of praise and thanksgiving to You this day, praise for all You are and thanksgiving for all we are because of You and your love. Spirit, stir within us and rouse within us the desire to live lives of faith and loving goodness. Grant that we may, through prayer, discern your will for us, and with great joy pursue that will this day and all days. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.