Death is not the end

Father Andrzej Wyrotek
The 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 28, 2025

My friends, we have two people today in the Gospel passage, the rich man and Lazarus. Now the rich man isn’t even known by name, but Lazarus is referred to by name. That’s how much importance it is to God that we listen to him. And while we look at the lives of both of them here on earth, we see quite a difference. The rich man who enjoys the privileges and eats sumptuously. He notices Lazarus. I’m sure he does see the beggar at his door. I’m sure that from time to time helped him a little bit here and there, but not to the point that would make a difference in Lazarus’ life. 

Lazarus, on the other hand, has to learn very quickly probably in his life humility, patience, face the challenge of hunger and may be cold, and then also probably be faced with moments of even jealousy seeing the joy and the privileges of the rich man and his home. 

But we see the challenge changing when they both meet the end of their earthly life and they are faced with the consequences. The rich man in torment and Lazarus in the benefits of heaven. 

My friends, the Gospel has a purpose and a challenge to us. Many of us, when we are born, are given a challenge — a challenge to live our life, the life that will reflect the desires of our heart so we can really focus on the benefits of this world, and we can enjoy it in so many ways and possibilities. But then our faith reminds us that this world, life in this world, will come to an end and the end as we know it, is providing us an opportunity to move into the next step in the reality of the journey of life. 

For us Christians, death is not the end of who we are. Death becomes a necessary step for us to leave this world and enjoy the life with God. Before we can enjoy the fullness of life with God, we will need to bring, as to say and probably use our school terms, a scorecard from our life. That is to tell God what we did with it. None of us is perfect. None of us knows everything, but every one of us has the ability and the possibility and necessary tools and resources to honor God with our life and to make a difference in the life of our neighbor. Perhaps that’s the most challenging moment of our Gospel today, and yet at the same time, the most beautiful reminder. Our life continues on. Me speaking to you today. You listening to this message — it’s just another opportunity of God’s grace alive and allowing us, reminding us, challenging us, and providing us with necessary steps and tools to make a difference in our life. 

Perhaps today one of us is in this life the rich man. Another one is Lazarus. Perhaps with this Gospel today, we’ll start looking for the new opportunity to change our life from Lazarus to be the one who is a faithful disciple of Christ. Perhaps this is the moment that when we recognize the many blessings we have been bestowed upon us in this life we use it for the glory of God and the salvation of the neighbor.

Pray for each other my friends, for today is just another moment, another opportunity, another day to respond to God’s challenge to live in his grace.