papa-francesco 20161018 messaggio-quaresima2017, Desconocido

"The Word is a gift. Other persons are a gift"

Desconocido, papa-francesco 20161018 messaggio-quaresima2017, pg. 1, loc. 6-6

Lent is a new beginning, a path leading to the certain goal of Easter, Christs vi
ctory over death.
Desconocido, papa-francesco 20161018 messaggio-quaresima2017, pg. 1, loc. 7-8

This season urgently calls us to conversion. Christians are asked to return to G

od with all their hearts
Desconocido, papa-francesco 20161018 messaggio-quaresima2017, pg. 1, loc. 8-9

At the basis of everything is the word of God, which during this season we are i
nvited to hear and ponder more deeply.
Desconocido, papa-francesco 20161018 messaggio-quaresima2017, pg. 1, loc. 13-14

Let us find inspiration in this meaningful story, for it provides a key to under
standing what we need to do in order to attain true happiness and eternal life.
It exhorts us to sincere conversion.
Desconocido, papa-francesco 20161018 messaggio-quaresima2017, pg. 1, loc. 14-16

The other person is a gift

Desconocido, papa-francesco 20161018 messaggio-quaresima2017, pg. 2, loc. 16-16

Lazarus: a name full of 2 promise, which literally means God helps.

Desconocido, papa-francesco 20161018 messaggio-quaresima2017, pg. 2, loc. 20-21

This character is not anonymous. His features are clearly delineated and he appe
ars as an individual with his own story.
Desconocido, papa-francesco 20161018 messaggio-quaresima2017, pg. 2, loc. 21-22

While practically invisible to the rich man, we see and know him as someone fami
liar.
Desconocido, papa-francesco 20161018 messaggio-quaresima2017, pg. 2, loc. 22-22

He becomes a face, and as such, a gift, a priceless treasure, a human being whom
God loves and cares for, despite his concrete condition as an outcast
Desconocido, papa-francesco 20161018 messaggio-quaresima2017, pg. 2, loc. 22-23

A right relationship with people consists in gratefully recognizing their value.

Desconocido, papa-francesco 20161018 messaggio-quaresima2017, pg. 2, loc. 25-25

Even the poor person at the door of the rich is not a nuisance, but a summons to
conversion and to change.
Desconocido, papa-francesco 20161018 messaggio-quaresima2017, pg. 2, loc. 25-26
Sin blinds us
Desconocido, papa-francesco 20161018 messaggio-quaresima2017, pg. 2, loc. 30-30

The parable is unsparing in its description of the contradictions associated wit

h the rich man (cf. v. 19).
Desconocido, papa-francesco 20161018 messaggio-quaresima2017, pg. 2, loc. 31-32

he does not have a name;

Desconocido, papa-francesco 20161018 messaggio-quaresima2017, pg. 3, loc. 32-32

Purple cloth was even more precious than silver and gold, and was thus reserved
to divinities (cf. Jer 10:9) and kings (cf. Jg 8:26), while fine linen gave one
an almost sacred character. The man was clearly ostentatious about his wealth, a
nd in the habit of displaying it daily: He feasted sumptuously every day (v. 19).
In him we can catch a dramatic glimpse of the corruption of sin, which progresse
s in three successive stages: love of money, vanity and pride (cf. Homily, 20 Se
ptember 2013).
Desconocido, papa-francesco 20161018 messaggio-quaresima2017, pg. 3, loc. 33-37

Instead of being an instrument at our service for doing good and showing solidar
ity towards others, money can chain us and the entire world to a selfish logic t
hat leaves no room for love and hinders peace.
Desconocido, papa-francesco 20161018 messaggio-quaresima2017, pg. 3, loc. 40-42

The parable then shows that the rich mans greed makes him vain.
Desconocido, papa-francesco 20161018 messaggio-quaresima2017, pg. 3, loc. 42-42

His personality finds expression in appearances, in showing others what he can d

o.
Desconocido, papa-francesco 20161018 messaggio-quaresima2017, pg. 3, loc. 42-43

The result of attachment to money is a sort of blindness. The rich man does not
see the poor man who is 3 starving, hurting, lying at his door.
Desconocido, papa-francesco 20161018 messaggio-quaresima2017, pg. 3, loc. 46-47

There the rich man speaks at length with Abraham, whom he calls father (Lk 16:24.2
7), as a sign that he belongs to Gods people. This detail makes his life appear a
ll the more contradictory, for until this moment there had been no mention of hi
s relation to God. In fact, there was no place for God in his life. His only god
was himself.
Desconocido, papa-francesco 20161018 messaggio-quaresima2017, pg. 4, loc. 55-57

He wants the poor man to alleviate his suffering with a drop of water. What he a
sks of Lazarus is similar to what he could have done but never did.
Desconocido, papa-francesco 20161018 messaggio-quaresima2017, pg. 4, loc. 58-59

The rich mans real problem thus comes to the fore. At the root of all his ills wa
s the failure to heed Gods word.
Desconocido, papa-francesco 20161018 messaggio-quaresima2017, pg. 5, loc. 64-65
As a result, he no longer loved God and grew to despise his neighbour.
Desconocido, papa-francesco 20161018 messaggio-quaresima2017, pg. 5, loc. 65-65

When we close our heart to the gift of Gods word, we end up closing our heart to
the gift of our brothers and sisters.
Desconocido, papa-francesco 20161018 messaggio-quaresima2017, pg. 5, loc. 66-67