Not Listening

An interesting and provocative reading today about not listening. Especially because, for so many years, I was the one that didn't want to listen.

GOSPEL
Lk 16:19-31
Jesus said to the Pharisees:
“There was a rich man .....
at his door was a poor man named Lazarus,...
the poor man died,...
The rich man also died...
and from the netherworld, where he was in torment,
he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off
and Lazarus at his side....
... between us and you a great chasm is established
to prevent anyone from crossing
who might wish to go from our side to yours
or from your side to ours.’
He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him
to my father’s house,
for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them,
lest they too come to this place of torment.’
But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets.
Let them listen to them.’
He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham,
but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
Then Abraham said,
‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded
if someone should rise from the dead.’”

Wow

If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded
if someone should rise from the dead.

It is almost humorous that Jesus would say that...because who really listens to him?

In this world filled with fears
Hate, pain, death and tears
I pray your words reach those ears
And let their lips sing your cheers
Amen.