The parable Jesus told about the rich man and a poor  man (Lazarus] can teach us some striking lessons. It  serves as a shocking warning about the right use of wealth.

The world we live in now seems filled with people who are living for today, giving no thought about tomorrow. The  prophet Amos wrote over 25 centuries ago of exploitation,  abusive practices, crushing economic hardship, neglect,  oppression, moral & spiritual decline, indifference,  rampant selfishness, hoarding, and imposed suffering. The 21st century appears no different! In essence, nothing  new under the sun!
   

The outcome of this selfishness and oppression of the  “poor” leads to despair, poverty, depression, suffering, and  sadness on the part of both the rich and the poor. What are we doing and can we do to break this cycle of man’s  inhumanity to humanity? What have you done or could do  to help the outcast, the poor and the homeless around us?  Recall what Jesus declared: Whatever you did for one of  these least brothers or sisters of mine, you did for me. - Mt 25:40

Granted we cannot take care of the needs of everyone  [including the handicapped, shut-ins or homebound, the  elderly]. However, we can ask Jesus to help us see people  in need through his eyes. As Christians we have an  obligation to help those in need. Blessed / Happy is he who has regard for the lowly and the poor. Psalm 41:2a

 Sunday’s Gospel tells the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). Ironically, we don’t see the rich man doing anything bad—he didn’t hit Lazarus or make him leave or even yell at him. So why did he end up in eternal damnation? It was because he didn’t even notice his suffering brother. The rich man was totally oblivious to the needs of Lazarus. Your challenge this week is to increase your awareness. Look at your community, your country, and even your world with new eyes. Who are the invisible poor who need your help? Discuss every evening who you have noticed for the first time. Then, at the end of the week, as a family or an individual choose one action you can do to help a person or a group whom you identified. The help could be a financial donation, direct service, or a form of advocacy on their behalf (e.g., emailing your state legislators to change laws to provide more aid to the homeless or single-parent families or the mentally ill). ©Center for Ministry Development. Published by the Pastoral Center / PastoralCenter.com. All rights reserved. 

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The Blind
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