Heaven is not meant for us alone; we can only enter it together with our brothers and sisters in love. The standard for entering Heaven does not lie in being rich or poor, but in living charitably with our brothers and sisters.

Here we see two people in two completely opposite situations, two worlds that are entirely different. Both worlds are closed off by the door of death, yet at the same time open into a new world with two different destinies.

The rich man was not condemned because he was rich—being rich is not a sin. His eternal destiny was the result of a life of selfishness. Living in excess and failing to see his brothers in need around him was his grave sin. God showed us that Lazarus enjoyed the bosom of Abraham, the eternal place, not because he was poor, but because, though poor, he did not resent anyone. Poor, yet he kept a righteous heart, placing his trust in God.

Likewise, the Lord reminds us today that we must manage God’s possessions faithfully, for we are not the owners but only the stewards of what God has graciously given us. We must cultivate a spirit of solidarity and charity; we must know how to share with those who suffer, so as to gain many friends, “that they may welcome you into eternal dwellings” (Lk 16:9).

For when we close our hearts, we begin to die. When we open our hearts, we begin to live. When we seek only the pleasures of creation and trust in the temporary things of this world—our wealth—we become so blinded that we can no longer see or rely on God and our neighbors. It is not only doing evil that is sin, but also avoiding doing good: failing to fulfill our duty to love others and being indifferent to the unfortunate people around us. This, too, distances us from God and separates us from our brothers and sisters.

We often find it easy to love those who are far away, yet difficult to love those who live with us or near us.

Lord God of Abraham, we understand that compassion for the poor will place us beside Lazarus in Your heart, while selfishness will push us into the abyss with the rich man. You know which side we want to choose, but please help us. Let the light of the Gospel guide us. Help us to love, to be charitable, and to build a just life according to Your holy will.

Lord Jesus, grant us a sensitive heart, one that is moved by the suffering of others. Do not let us be consumed by material possessions or forget our humanity. Help us to live generously, sharing with our brothers and sisters around us, so that when we stand before Your judgment seat, we may be welcomed into the happiness of Your kingdom.

Amen.