The Baptism of the Lord
Deacon Robert Banet
You remember the rich man in Hell?
Yes, he wanted someone to go to his brothers and warn them. He did not want them to end up like him.
That was very kind and loving of him.
Not according to St. Catherine of Siena.
Oh?
God told her the real reason.
What was it?
The real reason was to lessen his own suffering.
You’ll have to explain that.
The rich man was the eldest of his brothers and he had led them astray by his bad example.
I don’t understand.
They were headed for Hell. And when they arrived, his punishment would be increased.
I see. There is no love in Hell and the reason for his request was his own comfort.
Exactly. We should make efforts to grow closer to God. We just don’t want to end up with the rich man.
His sin was to feast sumptuously and to ignore the plight of the poor Lazarus.
Lord, have mercy!