Lazarus and Good Things

 The rich man who perished desired the good things of earth, which could not save him. Lazarus' good things, that which he desired, were crumbs that the rich count as refuse, which fall from their table. What things? That Jesus knew his name (as he knows the names of his baptized faithful), that the crumbs he received he regarded as worthy of all his desire (as is Christ in the Supper worthy of all our desire), and that even his afflictions were for his good (as it is with Christians). How very like Christ is Lazarus! For it is written that dogs compassed him about; the wicked derided him in his death. But behold how good was his death (on Good Friday), for by his atonement he gave to the Sacraments their strength to save, and gives to us the forgiveness of sins. So let us desire these crumbs, that we in the end might be carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom and the Father's eternal paradise. Sermon for the Octave of Trinity.