Family Bible Study - 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel Passage
Luke 16:19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and
who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate lay a poor man named
Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from
the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 The poor man
died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died
and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw
Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. 24 He called out, ‘Father Abraham,
have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my
tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember
that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner
evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. 26 Besides all this,
between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to
pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’ 27 He
said, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house — 28 for I have five
brothers — that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of
torment.’ 29 Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should
listen to them.’ 30 He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from
the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the
prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

Questions for discussion -

1. Why was the Rich Man sent to hell? Was it because he did something evil to
the poor man, or because, seeing him in need, he didn’t do anything?

2. What does this parable tell you about the need to help others?

3. The rich man prayed that someone from the dead go to warn his brothers.
Abraham (who is speaking for God) says that his brothers have Moses and the
prophets. But we have Jesus, who has come back from the dead. What does
that mean in terms of our behavior toward others in need and the eternal
consequences that result from our choices?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry