Today’s Mass readings include the familiar Gospel story of Lazarus and the Rich man. However, this important passage is preceded by Jer 17:5-10 and Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6. On the surface, these passages would seem to convey a very different message than the gospel. And, I must admit, they are among my favorites. I am always particularly fond of the likening of God’s Word, Love and Kingdom to nature. As an herbalist, woodsman and gardener, I spend most of my time outdoors. The nature is my place of joy and serenity. In Jerimah, we read:

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose hope is the LORD.
He is like a tree planted beside the waters
that stretches out its roots to the stream:
It fears not the heat when it comes,
its leaves stay green;
In the year of drought it shows no distress,
but still bears fruit.

and in the Psalm:

Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.

These are very real images in my world, not mere symbolism. To a people who lived in the dessert, they would have been even more vivid. But, what in the world do these passages have to do with Lazarus and the Rich man? Well, let’s see what else they tell us:

More tortuous than all else is the human heart,
beyond remedy; who can understand it?
I, the LORD, alone probe the mind
and test the heart,
To reward everyone according to his ways,
according to the merit of his deeds.

and

Not so, the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.

In the story, Lazarus was a poor, starving and wounded or ill beggar. The Rich Man lived in comfort. The Rich Man was not described as a particularly bad man. He seems to have just had all he needed in terms of earthy goods and comfort. We do not know if he refused to share his excess with the poor, or if he was so consumed by enjoying all that God had so lavishly blessed him (and his family) with that he did not even notice poor Lazarus. Both men were apparently religious Jews. We know this because Lazarus is seen “in the Bossom of Abraham” and the Rich Man is in Purgatory.

These are important points. Our Lord had not yet been crucified and risen - He had not preached to the dead and opened Heaven. Lazarus was not in Heaven yet, nor was Abraham. Generations of souls whose love of God and righteous lives merited them the rewards of God’s promise were waiting for the Christ to reconcile God and man. Yet, they were existing in a state of comfort and pleasure due to their trust in the Lord, their love of God and neighbor.

That the Rich Man was in Purgatory is undeniable. He certainly was not in Hell as he could see Lazarus and talk with Abraham. Hell is completely cut off from the love of God and neighbor. The souls in Hell are entirely self-focused, turned inward, consumed with their own torment. Hell is a place without God and devoid of love. Purgatory is a place of purgation, where the religious man must face and suffer for his sins before he can enter Heaven. The Bible states that nothing impure can enter Heaven and speaks of purification as if by fire. Lazarus suffered in life, presumably coming to totally rely on God, while the Rich Man relied on worldly goods and ignored his religious duties to his neighbor.

Purgatory is apparently having its intended effect on the Rich Man. He can see Abraham and Lazarus in a place of comfort. He desires to be with them. He even begins to express concern for his family that is still living. If he goes on in this way, he will eventually become the saint that Purgatory will create. He will be purified from disordered passions, consumed with love for God and mankind. His prayers for not only his genetic family, but the family of God will continue for eternity and help many, in precise contrast to his lack of help toward the poor and suffering in his earthly life. Suddenly, the Rich Man is expressing compassion and piety!

But, is it complete? No. This, we know because he still views Lazarus as lesser than himself. As if Lazarus were a servant or an underling, he asks Abraham to send Lazarus to tend to his needs. Not yet has he realized that he is the one in the lower position or given up his love of self. He does not beg Abraham to allow him to come and serve. He asks to be served. He has made progress, but:

Abraham replied, 'My child,
remember that you received what was good during your lifetime
while Lazarus likewise received what was bad;
but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.
Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established
to prevent anyone from crossing
who might wish to go from our side to yours
or from your side to ours.'

In human terms, this may be surprising. So many today dismiss sin as not being all that important. Especially on issues such as sexual sins, politics that are opposed to Christian teachings, marriage and lifestyles that the Church teaches are immoral - they say things like, “Those are old fashioned ideas. God understands. He is a God of love. He won’t punish people; He is not legalistic.” Indeed, to deny the reality of Purgatory is very convenient. To believe that faith is all that is necessary does much to assuage the guilty conscience. But, it is not true. Our Lord likened Purgatory to a debtor’s prison in which one would be punished and would not get out until they had paid every penny.

Returning to Jeremiah:

More tortuous than all else is the human heart,
beyond remedy; who can understand it?
I, the LORD, alone probe the mind
and test the heart,
To reward everyone according to his ways,
according to the merit of his deeds.

And that, brings us to why these are Lenten readings. The purpose of Lent is not to give up candy. Sure, if we have a sugar addiction or need to drop a few pounds, that is a good thing to do, but that is kids’ stuff. It is not even about fasting and abstaining from meat except as a means to an end. During Lent, we give up a bit of pleasure and some of the things to which we turn when we need comfort. But this not the end goal. Lent is a time for the examination of conscience. The goal of Lent is for us to identify what separates us from God, to pray more, to go to Confession and reform our lives. Fasting, giving up meat and other pleasures is both a reminder of this and an opportunity to do penance. We suffer just a little like Lazarus in hope that we may not suffer like The Rich Man.

God blesses those who love Him with many good things. The Rich Man was surely loved by God and greatly blessed. But only in spiritual poverty - realizing and appreciating our reliance on God for all our needs, just like the tree planted by the water, can we find eternal happiness.