Who's At The Door?

Note:  Below this slice of Daily Bread, there should be a slice of day-old bread from yesterday. Don't miss it.

Today's Gospel story about the Rich Man and Lazarus (Lk 16:19-31) is clear that dressed in purple we
may not be, we cannot ignore the Lazarus who may be suffering at our door, on our streets, across the border or overseas.  The Rich Man, often referred to as "Dives", but unnamed in the Gospel, must  have known who he was, for from the netherworld where he landed, he thirsted and called on Abraham to let Lazarus (called by name) dip his finger in water and touch it to his dry lips. We know the needy by the category, "needy",  but rarely by name.  And if we did know the name, wouldn't we be more likely to help?  So much more grievous, then,  the sin of the Rich Man.  No common sense person would want to share his fate, so even with that motivation, we would be moved to offer assistance. With millions or starving and homeless people in our own country and around the world, sharing even a little of what we have in so much abundance, is an obvious "must". One of the pillars of Lenten practice is "almsgiving". This is a good time to open our doors and hearts to whoever is out there. There will always be someone.
Bro. Rene