Pope Benedict XVI Blog

Holy Father’s Angelus on the proper use of riches

Sunday Angelus

Vatican City, Sep 30, 2007 / 09:06 am (CNA).- The Holy Father gave his angelus address today on the theme of today’s Gospel: “The rich man symbolizes the iniquitous use of riches to obtain a reckless and selfish luxury, thinking only to satisfy himself, without caring about the poor man at his gate.”

Benedict noted that the wealthy man was well considered by society and had made a name for himself, while the poor man was cared for by nobody, yet in God’s eyes: “the poor man, in contrast with the rich man, has a name, Lazarus, the abbreviation of Eleazar, which means ‘God helps him’.

“He who is forgotten by all, God does not forget; he who is of no value in the eyes of men, is precious in the Lord’s eyes”, the Holy Father stated.

The parable shows a final justice over all earthly injustices: “It shows how God makes justice for all earthly injustices: after death, Lazarus is gathered into “the bosom of Abraham”, that is, into eternal beatitude, while the rich man ends up “in hell among torments”.
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posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 5:39 PM