If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead

What happened to the rich man in today's Gospel?  - Fr Jose Maniyangat

Why did God send him to hell? 

Luke 16: 19 - 31
19     "There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.
20     And at his gate lay a poor man named Laz'arus, full of sores,
21     who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22     The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried;
23     and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Laz'arus in his bosom.
24     And he called out, `Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Laz'arus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.'
25     But Abraham said, `Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Laz'arus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.
26     And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.'
27     And he said, `Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house,
28     for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.'
29     But Abraham said, `They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.'
30     And he said, `No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.'
31     He said to him, `If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.'"


Not because he was rich but because he didn’t do what he was supposed to do.

God gave him all the riches not for his luxurious life but to use that wealth to help the needy.

1. He failed to help the needy.
2. He failed to help the poor starving Lazarus.
3. He was eating expensive food at the same time poor Lazarus was at his gate starving.

In the penitential rite we pray "I confess to Almighty God what I have done and what I have failed to do"

In today’s parable, Jesus says that there is an after life in which the justice of God prevails.

In this modern time we never hear from the leaders of the Church about
- sin,
- judgment,
- purgatory and
- hell
Jesus talked about them many times.

Now we hear only love, compassion, forgiveness and heaven.

Because of these teachings, a majority of Catholics don’t believe in
- sin,
- judgment,
- purgatory and
- hell.

So many don't believe there is a Satan and devils.

Don’t be fooled by modern preachers.

We are accountable for what we are doing. The result of sin is death.

We need to repent of our sins and make a good confession and come back to the Lord with a repent heart.

If not, we will have to go to hell and we cannot escape.

We have to suffer for eternity. Let us resist temptations and avoid all sins.


Heavenly Father, Your word has power to change hearts. Let Your powerful word help us to follow Your way.

Amen

Also Read - Life After Death Experience by Fr Jose Maniyangat