As we hear the various parables from the Gospel of Luke it is good to
keep two things in mind. First, the context of these teachings, which
were given by Jesus as he made his way up to Jerusalem to “be delivered
into the hands of men” (Lk. 9:44) and enter into his Passion. That
journey was not just a physical journey, but also a sign of obedience to
the will of the Father, a concrete expression of perfect humility and
self-gift.
Secondly, his parables and discourses given during the journey were not
haphazard or random in nature, but form a cohesive and focused whole.
They are like different paths leading to the same place and shedding
light on the same event: Jesus’ death on the Cross for the salvation of
mankind. Some of them were meant specifically for the disciples; others
for the crowds following Jesus; still others for the Pharisees and other
religious leaders.
Between last week’s reading of the parable of the dishonest steward (Lk.
16:1-15) and today’s parable is a little bridge of five verses
(16:14-18). That passage states that the Pharisees—“who were lovers of
money”—had heard Jesus say, “You cannot serve God and mammon”, and had
sneered at him. Jesus then said to them, “You justify yourselves in the
sight of others, but God knows your hearts; for what is of human esteem
is an abomination in the sight of God.”
This sets up the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, a story sometimes
interpreted solely as a renunciation of greed and a call to treat the
poor with justice. That interpretation is, of course, both correct and
important. Today’s reading from the prophet Amos takes up the same
issue, directing a curse toward the complacent wealthy who stuff
themselves with rich meat while starving themselves spiritually. And the
first half of the parable (vs. 19-26) is directed toward the same sort
of opulent self-indulgence and gluttonous revelry.
