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Praise be to Jesus Christ
In today’s Gospel, we hear the famous story of the rich man and the poor Lazarus. A keyword that stands out is “chasm.” Abraham tells the rich man that a great chasm exists between him and Lazarus, a gap that cannot be crossed. Let us pause for a moment and reflect: do you think this chasm began after death? Definitely not. It was already present in their lifetime. The rich man saw Lazarus daily but never cared. He had food, clothes, and comfort, yet he never considered sharing them. He built a wall instead of a bridge, and that wall remained even after his death.
This chasm is not just a thing of the past but it exists in our own daily lives. In many families, husbands and wives live under the same roof but are emotionally distant. They speak only when necessary, not out of love but out of duty. There is no affection, no kindness but just two people existing side by side like strangers. Parents and children also experience this chasm. Some children grow up and forget their parents, leaving them in loneliness. Some parents are too busy chasing success and do not have time for their children. The bond weakens, and the gap grows wider. Siblings fight over money and inheritance, cutting ties with one another. Even in our communities, people live close to each other but remain divided by jealousy, pride, and indifference.
The most dangerous chasm is the one between us and God. Some people attend church, but their hearts are far from Him. Others are so caught up in life’s pursuits that they forget Him entirely. These gaps do not appear overnight, they form slowly, through neglect, selfishness, and pride. The prophet Isaiah speaks of this: “The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib; but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” (Isaiah 1:3) Even animals recognize their master, but people often forget their Creator. God Himself rebukes His people again: “Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God.” (Isaiah 59:2) Sin builds a chasm, and only repentance and love can bridge it.
In a village, two neighbours were close friends. A small argument over land turned into years of silence. One built a fence, and they lived as strangers, though side by side. Years passed. One fell seriously ill, alone and weak. Struggling to fetch water, he collapsed. The other, seeing him, hesitated but finally stepped forward to help. No words, just an action that broke years of division. Days later, the sick man died. At his grave, the neighbour whispered, “I should not have waited this long.” The rich man in the Gospel also realised his mistake too late. But we still have time.
St. Vincent de Paul did not wait. He saw the suffering of the poor and spent his life closing the gap between the rich and the needy. He did not wait for the poor to come to him instead he went to them. In its place of ignoring the Lazaruses of his time, he embraced them. He became a bridge of love, not a builder of walls.
Are we building bridges or widening the chasm? Are we ignoring the pain of those around us? Are we distant from our families, our neighbours, and Our God? The rich man only realised the depth of his chasm after death, but we still have time to change.
Lord, help us to break down the walls that separate us from You and from one another. Make us builders of bridges of love. Amen.
Very enriching homily. The story is another level. Very well reflected. Wonderfully explain. I’m always grateful to read .
Thanks Father.
Thoughtful message…. An iniative to fill the chasm and form bridges to build relationship….