Today we are given the familiar story of Dives (the rich man who is not named, but tradition holds was named Dives) and Lazarus. We are all so quick to judge Dives, but I’m guessing there is more to the story. And today I think the other readings give us an idea of what that might be. Jeremiah is again railing that people are not to be trusted—the human heart is tortuous. Psalm 1 counsels us to be careful with whom we spent time. So maybe, just maybe, Dives was surrounded by the wrong kind of people. His greatest sin might have been that he was too easily influenced. We know he had a conscience because he was worried about his remaining brothers who were presumably also surrounded by the same cadre of acquaintances. With whom do I associate? Am I too easily dissuaded from my intended path to one of greater ease and selfishness? Who is whispering in my ear? The nameless rich man is a warning. He could be me!
