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| "The Poor Lazarus at the Rich Man’s Door" -- by James Tissot (1886-1894) [Click image to view full size] |
FIRST READING: Amos 6: 1, 4 - 7
1
Woe to you that are wealthy in Sion, and to you that have confidence
in the mountain of Samaria: ye great men, heads of the people, that
go in with state into the house of Israel.
4
You that sleep upon beds of ivory, and are wanton on your couches:
that eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst
of the herd;
5
You that sing to the sound of the psaltery: they have thought
themselves to have instruments of music like David;
6
That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the best
ointments: and they are not concerned for the affliction of Joseph.
7
Wherefore now they shall go captive at the head of them that go into
captivity: and the faction of the luxurious ones shall be taken away.
7
Who keepeth truth for ever: who executeth judgment for them that
suffer wrong: who giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth them
that are fettered:
8
The Lord enlighteneth the blind. The Lord lifteth up them that are
cast down: the Lord loveth the just.
9
The Lord keepeth the strangers, he will support the fatherless and
the widow: and the ways of sinners he will destroy.
10
The Lord shall reign for ever: thy God, O Sion, unto generation and
generation.
11
But thou, O man of God, fly these things: and pursue justice,
godliness, faith, charity, patience, mildness.
12
Fight the good fight of faith: lay hold on eternal life, whereunto
thou art called, and hast confessed a good confession before many
witnesses.
13
I charge thee before God, who quickeneth all things, and before
Christ Jesus, who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate, a good
confession,
14
That thou keep the commandment without spot, blameless, unto the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15
Which in his times he shall shew who is the Blessed and only Mighty,
the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
16
Who only hath immortality, and inhabiteth light inaccessible, whom no
man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and empire everlasting.
Amen.
19
There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine
linen; and feasted sumptuously every day.
20
And there was a certain beggar, named Lazarus, who lay at his gate,
full of sores,
21
Desiring to be filled with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's
table, and no one did give him; moreover the dogs came, and licked
his sores.
22
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the
angels into Abraham's bosom. And the rich man also died: and he was
buried in hell.
23
And lifting up his eyes when he was in torments, he saw Abraham afar
off, and Lazarus in his bosom:
24
And he cried, and said: Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send
Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, to cool my
tongue: for I am tormented in this flame.
25
And Abraham said to him: Son, remember that thou didst receive good
things in thy lifetime, and likewise Lazareth evil things, but now he
is comforted; and thou art tormented.
26
And besides all this, between us and you, there is fixed a great
chaos: so that they who would pass from hence to you, cannot, nor
from thence come hither.
27
And he said: Then, father, I beseech thee, that thou wouldst send him
to my father's house, for I have five brethren,
28
That he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of
torments.
29
And Abraham said to him: They have Moses and the prophets; let them
hear them.
30
But he said: No, father Abraham: but if one went to them from the
dead, they will do penance.
31
And he said to him: If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither
will they believe, if one rise again from the dead.
