tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18902745.post115120688744551200..comments2024-03-24T15:19:06.377-04:00Comments on The Continuum: Lazarus and DivesFr. Robert Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05892141425033196616noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18902745.post-1151524798773654572006-06-28T15:59:00.000-04:002006-06-28T15:59:00.000-04:00Ed,Of course. It stands over against "complicated ...Ed,<BR/><BR/>Of course. It stands over against "complicated coincidence."Albion Landhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14423168351697120421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18902745.post-1151497700487834922006-06-28T08:28:00.000-04:002006-06-28T08:28:00.000-04:00Is there such a thing as a "simple coincidence?"ed...Is there such a thing as a "simple coincidence?"<BR/><BR/>edpoetreaderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11613032927883843078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18902745.post-1151468264009558032006-06-28T00:17:00.000-04:002006-06-28T00:17:00.000-04:00Poetreader,Wonderful insight. Strange indeed how ...Poetreader,<BR/><BR/>Wonderful insight. Strange indeed how Our Lord refers to a "character" by name in this one story. No other parable is treated this way -- suggesting that this was not merely a parable. But stranger indeed in that the name of the dead man is Lazarus -- which incidentally was the name of the man raised from the dead by Christ.<BR/><BR/>Fr. Hart brings up the unique ending of the story: "if they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead". Incidentally again -- a dead man named Lazarus was actually raised from the dead by Christ.<BR/><BR/>I wonder if the connections are simple coincidences?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18902745.post-1151442481128075622006-06-27T17:08:00.000-04:002006-06-27T17:08:00.000-04:00The Greek word is "Hades." Of that there is no que...The Greek word is "Hades." Of that there is no question, as it usually means the same thing as the Old Testament Hebrew <I>Sheol</I>. Joe's point suggests a possible scriptural basis for Purgatory. However, remember that what the Lord did here was to take a well known story and give it His own ending-"if they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."Fr. Robert Harthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05892141425033196616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18902745.post-1151421280598170702006-06-27T11:14:00.000-04:002006-06-27T11:14:00.000-04:00Great sermon, Father!and a good comment, Joe.The e...Great sermon, Father!<BR/><BR/>and a good comment, Joe.<BR/><BR/>The exact identification of what occurs beyond the grave, yet before the Day of Resurrection, is beyond our capability, but the fact that what occurs <I>here</I> has consequences <I>there</I> has been made manifestly clear, and is a large part of the burden of this story. I don't call it a parable, as it is utterly distinct from Jesus' parables in that its central character is named. There is (according to something I read decades ago) a chapel in Jerusalem dedicated to <B>that</B> St. Lazarus. The thoroughly anti-catholic author made fun of the concept of venerating someone who was "only a character in a parable", but, as the insulting comment helped me to see, the use of a name (especially if this was a well-known story) might imply that actual persons are being discussed (even more so if it really is a familiar story), and thus that Our Lord was making use of His divine ability to see through the veil and comment, not on what might be, but on what is. Thus, though we are saved through faith by grace "without (i.e. outside) the works of the Law", faith without works is dead, and therefore does not save.<BR/><BR/>edpoetreaderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11613032927883843078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18902745.post-1151300870758595372006-06-26T01:47:00.000-04:002006-06-26T01:47:00.000-04:00Fr. Hart,I'm not so certain that Dives is in Hell ...Fr. Hart,<BR/><BR/>I'm not so certain that Dives is in Hell (Gehenna) -- the place of eternal damnation.<BR/><BR/>As you pointed out, Dives refers to Abraham as "father" Abraham and Abraham refers to Dives as "my son". Expressions of honor and respect, i.e., love. Moreover, Dives is agonizing over his living brothers/family. The soul in Hell is devoid of the virtue of charity. Consequently, Dives cannot be worried about his family members (since he would be loving them) and he and Abraham cannot have the exchage they had if charity was absent or if there was no hope for Dives. Therefore, perhaps Dives is not in Hell (as we know it) but in Hades (as the ancient Jews knew it).<BR/><BR/>The Jews of Jesus' time believed in Hades or a part thereof known as "Abraham's Bosom". Within Hades, there were different levels or "compartments" dependent on the righteousness of the dead. Those who were destined to eternal damnation were in one "part" of Hades while those who were ultimately destined to glory were in another part, i.e., Abraham's Bosom. (Awaiting their final glorification after the Messiah's triumph.) Although destined to eternal happiness, the dead still experienced some form of expiation due to their sins. Hence, the pain or torment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com