Am I neglecting to do good?

Donate and be gifted. We got something from parents, friends; we did something we gave. We give and receive in life. Abraham says of the rich man and Lazarus that they also received something of God. Abraham says to the rich man: “Remember that you have received all the good in your life and Lazarus, of course, only bad. Now he rejoices here, and you are troubled ”(Lk 16:25).

Notice that Abraham tells the rich man that all the good in his life he got. So all that the rich man had, what he had earned, he got it all. It “got” we can understand it in a positive sense as God’s blessing. But it is possible that you, the rich man acquired his property dishonestly, by theft, deception, and greed, and then we “got it” in a negative sense, as God’s permission. Rich from God, he was given time and opportunity to repent. God allowed him to do with his wealth much good, among other things, to help Lazarus from his difficult fate. We learn from the story that Lazarus also got something; he only got the bad one. And even here, he “got” it can be understood in both positive and negative senses. In a positive sense, maybe Lazarus He received a test from God, just as God tested Job by sickness and misery to Lazarus perfected in suffering. Or in a negative sense, which is more likely, God admitted that Lazarus suffered misery for human anger and was an opportunity for others to prove love and mercy.
Next, we must realize that the rich did not go to hell because he was rich, but because he did not do the good he had and was obliged to do. The rich man had his heart reserved only for himself, did not help Lazarus in his difficult position, did not prove to his mercy. And Lazarus also did not automatically enter the sky just because of his ulcers and poverty. Lazarus found himself in the bosom of Abraham because he endured his difficult fate patiently; he neither lamented against God nor against men. And one more fact is interesting: Lazarus is silent in the whole parable. When someone is silent, he creates space, to God said. The Lazarus is thus depicted as being still present God and thus patiently bears his destiny.
We, too, often experience God’s blessing in our lives or from God passing the test. We also get the good or vice versa, the bad. It is often our life status and the existential situation resulting from our efforts or our sins, errors, and mistakes. God also gives us time to be all the good we have, our natural talents, talents, education or material good, social status, or simply the happiness lived in marriage to pass on our good. Let’s be careful to be, as the rich of parables, in a situation of personal happiness and success, did not close their eyes to the misery and misery of others. Love is inventive. Let’s look for where to whom and how in our area it is necessary to help. Who is around me, the Lazarus who needs help? Now and only now do we have the opportunity to help; let’s not waste it like the parable’s rich man.

Maybe one of us is in Lazarus’s situation; he is experiencing suffering in his life, difficulties, troubles, maybe with you, maybe with someone close. For Lazarus, it was his fate so a little secret; in silence, he surrendered to God; he believed that God did not forget him. Not even God does not forget Lazarus; he sends them rich people to help them. Sometimes they help not. If we do not help, we will bear the consequences. Let’s be careful and research whether we neglect the good in something. Lazarus waited for help, waited for surrender, patiently, he begged to persevere. Sometimes a little is enough: a smile, a word, a visit. Sometimes more: give something or give up something, forgive, forget, start over, maybe something… because it will be late tomorrow, there will be no time for that tomorrow.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta recalls: “A large group of people recently came to me Of the United States. They asked me, “Tell us something useful.” I told them, “Smile to each other. ” I think I told them with too much seriousness. One of them asked me, “Are you married?” I replied, “Yes, and sometimes it’s hard for me to smile. to Jesus because he is very demanding. ”  Give and be gifted, give and receive. Yes, sometimes just a smile is enough; sometimes more is needed. Today is the time; tomorrow is too late.