Do rich people go to heaven?

I heard someone ask this question once, apparently sparked by the importance the gospel seems to give to the poor. Before going any further, it’s important to remind ourselves from the beginning that nobody, absolutely nobody, is denied the possibility to go to heaven. Passport to heaven is not based on social status or one’s bank account. What matters is what we do with what we’ve got.

In a very well-known passage in chapter 25 of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus sets the criteria for taking our “inheritance, the kingdom prepared for us since the foundation of the world.” I was hungry, and you gave me to eat, he tells us. Thirsty and you gave me to drink, naked and you clothed me, and so on. Jesus’ words leave no room for doubt.

Today’s gospel passage presents us with two very different people. One of them is rich. We don’t know his name. All we know is that he organized banquets every day, and dressed himself in linen and purple—stuff of royalty! The other one is poor, named Lazarus. He had nothing to eat. Moreover, the rich man never thought of helping out the poor one. Jesus graphically tells us that, after their death, the poor man goes to heaven, consoled in Abraham’s arms, while the rich man found himself in the flames of Hades. Nothing is said about whether they were good or bad people, whether they obeyed all the laws, whether they went to the temple. The rich man is not necessarily evil. He just locks himself in his mansion, enjoying his luxurious lifestyle. The only criteria for the rich man’s condemnation was his indifference towards the plight of Lazarus.

Sometimes we might think that to hate someone is the worst evil we can do. I strongly believe that indifference is worse than hatred! When you hate someone, you are at least acknowledging that person’s existence, giving him some importance in your life. When you are indifferent to someone, on the other hand, it is as if that person did not even exist for you. You are depriving him not only of love and attention, but even from the very right to exist! Like the rich person in today’s parable, you would be closing yourself up in your own mansion, totally oblivious of the other person at your doorstep.

​Indeed, the problem is not money or riches. The real question is, “What do I do with what I have?” Do I lock myself up in my own little mansion? Or do I use what has been given to me to help others?

We are getting used to the pattern by now. Jesus is on his life-journey, one slowly leading him to Jerusalem. It is a journey that will lead him to that very important moment, the moment of his self-giving for the salvation everyone. As he goes along, people follow him on this journey. Of course, he has become a popular man. He performs miracles, heals sick people, and, perhaps most importantly, the way he speaks is different to the way their other religious leaders speak. “He speaks with authority”, people were saying, implying that the others were not. There was something in his words that made them credible and doable, in spite of the fact that, more often than not, they were difficult words. Surely, the people sensed honesty and integrity in what Jesus said. Speaking about the other leaders of their time, once Jesus told the people to “listen to what they say, but do not do what they do,” because they did not live what they preached. Definitely, Jesus was not like that. He lived what he preached even before he preached it.

So, as people follow him on this journey, Jesus takes the opportunity to explain to them what it means to be a disciple of his. Thus we can say that Jesus’ words are addressed to us also, not only to those who were walking with him two thousand years ago. We, too, have sensed something in Jesus which we would not find anywhere else. During these last few weeks Jesus has been helping us to put our priorities right, to make conscious choices in life, to go for that which is truly important, truly good, truly valuable.

Today is no exception. Although the parable of Jesus in today’s gospel might seem difficult or strange, there is a clear message in it. Again, Jesus is asking us to choose. This time my choice is going to be whom to serve in my life: God or worldly wealth. Mind you, it’s important to keep in mind before we go on that Jesus is not saying that worldly wealth, riches and money are bad. He is simply telling us not to let them become our “master” in life. All these things are good, often they are God-given gifts, but I cannot allow them to control my life.

If seen within this context of Jesus’ teachings, the parable of today starts making sense. First of all Jesus is careful to remind us that we are “administrators” not owners of all that we have. The one and only master and owner of all is God. He gives us what we have, so that we can make good use of it. In one of his letters Saint Paul reminds us, “what have you got that you did not receive?”

The administrator in our story of today did not act as a good administrator. We do not know what he did, but for some reason he was going to find himself without a job. And in that moment of crisis something clicked. Rather than money or riches, what he is going to need in life is friends. He sacrifices from what he has—probably from the commission he would have had from the business he was doing for his master—to start creating relationships. And Jesus praises this man for his shrewdness. Rather than being mastered by his money, he has now become the master. He is using the money he was making for something better: human relationships.

​As we continue on our journey as disciples of Jesus, it’s good to ask ourselves a couple of questions today. First of all, who or what is my master. On what criteria do I base my decisions in life? Then, how do I use what God has given me? Do I use it for the good of others, to help grow and strengthen relationships?

Thunder is rumbling and lightning is repeatedly lighting up the skies. As I write, there’s a spectacle in the skies, all with lights and sounds. I know it’s a bit farfetched, but somehow this reminds me of the feast thrown in heaven every time a sinner repents. Or the feast thrown by the father of the two sons in today’s gospel, upon the return of his wayward son.

Indeed, God’s ways are a bit strange. After all the sufferings he endured because of his son, there is not one angry word that comes from the mouth of the father. Not one word of reprimand, or guilt-inflicting scolding. The son had prepared his begging-speech on the way back to his father’s house. God knows how many times he went over and over again that phrase: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired servants”. Of course, the father would not have any of this. He did not even allow his son to finish his well-rehearsed speech. All he does is throw a spontaneous feast. What matters for him is that his lost son is now found.

I highly suspect that a normal father would act slightly differently! I know my father would! He would be, of course, happy that the son is back. But he would definitely give him a mouthful, letting him know that he hoped he’s learned his lesson, and that now he hopes that he would not commit the same evil again. Some kind of punishment would also, most probably follow.

I’m not sure what idea you have of God. What image comes to your mind when you think of God. The idea that Jesus, the Son, would like to convey to us of his Father is a happy, joyful, loving, feast-loving, merciful one. This is what the story is all about. Sometimes we might focus too much on the younger son of the story - the “prodigal son”. As far as Jesus is concerned, the younger son is just one of the characters in the story. After all, if he erred against his father, so did his brother. Filled with jealousy and anger, the older brother did not want to participate in the feast organized by his father. The father goes out to beg him come in. His disappointment in the older son is as palpable as the pain caused by the other.

I suppose the basis of both sons’ mistakes is the fact that they bth had a bad, unreal idea of the father. For them he was just a master, someone to be obeyed. “I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command,” says the older son. Yet, there was no joy in his life. Only resentment, versus both his father and his brother. While the younger son would be content with being accepted as a servant. Still, in spite of all the errors committed, all the father wanted was his son back. The younger one was still a son as much as he was prior to his departure.

A question that we should ask ourselves today is: how is my relationship with God? Who is God for me? What image comes to my mind when I think of God.

​Perhaps if we do not find joy in our Father’s house is simply because we have not understood who he really is. 

Choices!

We’ve been accompanying Jesus’ disciples during these past few weeks, as they travelled with Jesus towards Jerusalem. Throughout this journey we’ve been constantly challenged by Jesus to think about what does it mean to be a Christian, a follower of his. It should be clear by now, it’s not just a matter of being baptized. A true Christian is not so simply because he or she happens to be born in a Christian family. My baptism is lived and reflected in my whole life, in my daily life. The choices I make have to be enlightened by the faith I profess.

In today’s gospel St Luke tells us that “large crowds were travelling with Jesus”. There is no doubt, he was a popular man. And, in spite of what some people would like to make us, sometimes, think, he still is today. Large crowds still follow Jesus today, at least nominally. According to the 2016 census, more than 54% of the population in Toronto declare that they are Christian, with more than half of these professing to be Catholic. Nothing much has changed since Jesus’ time! Seeing those crowds, Jesus offered them a challenge, a challenge that is being offered to us today. Basically he is telling us: if you want to really follow me, you have to make choices in life, which may, sometimes be difficult. Jesus, who is resolutely journeying towards his ultimate sacrifice in Jerusalem, wants us to help him set the world on fire by making certain definite choices. It’s about choosing to go through the narrow door, about consciously seeking the lowest places, about not being too concerned about one’s own rights—definitely not putting your rights over and above loving your neighbor … or your enemy!

Often unlike us, it seems that Jesus was not really concerned about numbers. Upon seeing all those crowds following him, instead of rejoicing and applauding them, it seems that he is actually discouraging them. He continues to challenge them to make difficult and unpopular choices. In today’s gospel Jesus reminds those who want to follow him that, being his disciple might come at a cost. He reminds them that there is a cross to carry (ultimately, that is what he is going to do, literally!). He also reminds than their becoming his disciples might create rifts between them and their loved ones, who might not share the same values.

​Jesus is very real, very down to earth. He never gives empty promises. All he promised was that he will continue to be with his disciples, to accompany them, to never abandon them. And this promise is based on what is about to happen in Jerusalem. True, there he is going to meet his passion and death. But there he is also going to experience his resurrection, his victory over all that is evil, all that is wrong in life. There might really be trials and difficulties as I struggle to follow Jesus in my life. But it is all worth it, because I know that, ultimately, the victory is mine. Through my baptism I am not only called to carry my cross like he did, to share with him in his passion and death, but am also assured of a share in his resurrection.

Let’s face it, we all love a selfie. Especially when we meet some very important person!

I remember when I was still living in Rome I had many occasions to be present for a celebration presided over by the Pope. As the Pope passed close to the people there were cameras everywhere. People not only took pictures of the Pope, but those who were close enough turned round to take a selfie with him in it. That way they could say when they returned home that they were close to the Pope.

Naturally, this could be said about any important person. We could swap the Pope with an actor, a politician, a famous sportsperson. What matters is that I have proof that I met that famous person. Mind you, even I have a couple of photos with Pope Francis, and am very happy with them! Feeling important, feeling great, is something secretly lurking inside each one of us. And if I am not an important person myself, rubbing shoulders with someone who is somehow rubs off!

When you think about it, there might be a reason for this. Because, yes, we are important. First of all, remember that you are God’s work of art, God’s masterpiece. That’s what St Paul tells us in his letter to the Ephesians. Just imagine God, like a great artist, the day you were born looking at you and saying, “Wow, I made that!” Remember this when you feel bad about yourself. Then there is the fact that we are God’s children. Nothing can change that. Irrespective of what you’ve done in your life, you are a child of God, His son or His daughter. Often in life children of important people use this birth-privilege of theirs to their advantage, saying, “I am the son/daughter of so-and-so”! What greater privilege is there than being the child of God?

In today’s gospel Jesus was invited to a meal, and there was a number of important people there too. Not surprisingly, some of the guests were seeking places where they could feel important. As always, Jesus takes this opportunity to teach those around him. It is not how people see you that is important. This world’s glory quickly vanishes … “whoever exalts himself will be humbled,” he tells them.

​There is no need trying to feel important in this world. You already are. Once we become aware of it, we only have to live it. As a son, I inherit a lot of my father’s characteristics. We know what God’s characteristics are, because they were lived out by Jesus: loving everybody, forgiveness, humility, helping others, giving without counting the cost. That is why Jesus goes on to tell his listeners that, when they throw a party, they should invite people who would not be able to repay them back. The followers of Jesus are not people who seek accolades from other people. Indeed, they do not need them. What matters is their relationship with the Father.