The Twenty-Second Sunday After Pentecost (Gal. 6:11–18; Lk. 16:19–31)

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus shows that those who did not live as they should will come to their senses, but will no longer have the ability to correct their situation. Their eyes will open and they will clearly see wherein the truth lies. Remembering that on earth there are many who are blind as they once were, they would wish that someone be sent to them from among the dead to assure them that life must be lived and things must be understood in no other way than as God’s Revelation directs. But even this will be denied them, because Revelation is self-authenticating for those who sincerely wish to know the truth, while for those who do not want and do not love the truth, even the resurrection of someone from the dead would not be convincing. The feelings of this parable’s rich man are surely experienced by all who depart from here. And consequently, by the conviction of those on the other side—which will also be the conviction of all of us—the sole guide on the path of life for us is God’s Revelation. But there such conviction will come too late for many; here it would be far more useful—yet not everyone has it. Let us at least believe the testimony of those on the other side, placing ourselves in their condition. Those who suffer in torments will not lie; out of compassion for us they wish that our eyes might be opened, that we not come to the place of their torment. About this subject one cannot speak as one sometimes speaks of passing matters: “It will somehow work itself out.” No—that will not somehow work itself out. We must be thoroughly assured that we will not find ourselves in the place of the rich man.