homo quidam erat dives

Dozen pelicans in the smooth, flat Bay just below. 


Arrived from the west, they’ll float and splash a bit then take off for wherever they spend the day fishing. Back by 7H this evening headed west for overnight, why do they do that? IDK, instinct?

Here’s the gospel for Sunday, another rich man parable in Luke 16, setting up the congregation for a stewardship sermon, but which is not going to happen. The prescribed lectionary text is Luke 16:19-31. Cutting out later rationalizing by the Church to warn what awaits those who doubt the resurrection doctrine, here is just the parable that some scholars say Jesus may actually have told:

19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 and there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 and in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. (Luke 16:19-26 KJV)

Also, here’s verse 19 in the Latin Vulgate, to show where we get the traditional name Dives for the rich man:

19 homo quidam erat dives et induebatur purpura et bysso et epulabatur cotidie splendide (man certain was rich … )

If we’re looking at this then, how does the parable hit me, what do I think about it? 

Can I find myself in the parable?

If a parable is a roundabout story to make a single point, what’s Jesus’ point?

Assume for the moment that the parable is allegorical: 
  • what does the purple represent?
  • who is Dives, the rich man?
  • who is Lazarus?
  • who or what are the licking dogs?
  • what do the crumbs represent?
  • what does the rich man's table represent?
  • what does the gate represent?
  • who is Abraham?
  • what is the "comfort" given Lazarus?
  • identify the flames of torment.
  • what is the great gulf?

Back to the parable, what might Jesus intend to tell about opportunity to make things right, to make oneself right (righteous) with God, after life here on earth (i.e., a second chance)? Why might the early Church have later added something  (not shown above) about rising from the dead? 

Back to 7H, 78.6° 79% cooling gentle breeze. One mile walk early (2242 steps) time for baked oysters on thin ww toast.



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