When we think of horror movies, we often think of terrible threats to our existence. It is either the wild psychotic killer or the invisible demon that possesses innocent people. However, as a priest, such movies are rarely scary. The psychotic killer may kill someone, but then the victim enters eternal life. If he seeks forgiveness of sins, he goes to Heaven, so that is not scary. If the threat is a demon, well, I am in the casting our demons business. Indeed, the most effective form of that is the Sacrament of Confession. So that is not scary.

What does scare me? Today’s readings. They would hardly make a good movie, but they highlight the true dangers that can touch each one of us. The greatest danger that can affect us? A hardened heart. Notice so carefully what we see in the first reading. We see a scene where people are living in luxury and completely closed to the realities around them. Joseph is collapsing the reading says. That means that the nation of Israel is falling, but they are so lost in their luxury they just don’t care. They are indifferent. It is not that they choose to do nothing in the face of great tragedy, it is they choose to not even care to know that there is great tragedy happening, therefore, they cannot do anything. They are blissfully ignorant. This is a gross form of hardness of heart. Look at what the response is: “They will be the first to go to exile and their wanton revelry will be done away with.” There is not even a statement, which is more common in the bible of “If they change their ways. . . ” Instead the words are simple they will be eliminated. They have no value to the kingdom of God. What a horrible concept. That is a horror that does not work in Hollywood.

This leads us to the Gospel. There we see the same concept embodied in the rich man. However, we see when he is in Hell, that concept is solidified in him. Alone and viciously narcissistic, the man has not ability to care about anyone but himself and maybe his family. He turns Lazarus into a piece of garbage of no value to him until he sees him next to Abraham and then he seeks to exploit him. He has not ability within him to feel remorse, repent, or change his ways. His heart is the epitome of the hardened heart.

This is the reality that we must avoid at all times. This is why we have a call to practice our faith. It is not to avoid breaking the Ten Commandments, though that is there, but it is to do all we can to avoid a hardened heart. This is the greatest danger a human can suffer: he becomes a complete narcissist that cares about nothing but himself.

So we have the practices of seeing how we may always allow the Lord to transform us, to make us different, to make us loving and holy. We have the corporal works of mercy, the spiritual works of mercy that are great guidelines to lead us to care for others. These go beyond simple morality, and move us to compassion and love. They are great tools to draw us away from selfishness and into holiness.

We need to be people who pray that God will transform us, intercede that he will lead others to Heaven and seek a change of heart at all times. We need to have a good sense of sin that we will know where we have to change and invite God into our sinfulness that He will heal us. Whatever, the case may be, we need to be aware that left to our own devices we can find ourselves to be just like Lazarus and the those in the first reading. This is why our faith is so important.

Do these people exist today? Yes, they do. Can I give an example? Yes, I can. Do you know that some dictators in the tropics have been known to build discos in large walk-in refrigerators so that their friends can party with their furs on, a status symbol. This is while their people are suffering in poverty.

The examples of narcissism in the rich man are often considered virtues in today’s world. (Not to imply rich people are by default like this, by the way.) The rugged individual who gets whatever he wants and to hell with everyone else is a virtue in some places but is just a road to being like Lazarus.

This week, make sure you pray. Consider doing good works and remember the next time you see a horror movie, that it is not as scary as today’s readings.

God bless you,

Fr. Robert J Carr

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