The rich and Lazarus

Two important points ae being made in this parable:

The necessity of listening and hearing, and

The necessity of conversion.

Listening and hearing is doubtless easier for the humble and the poor, since thet are tangled up by wealth and its many consequences (pirde for example). The parable has directly in mind the leaders of the Pharisees and tells themthat they must indeed listen to and heed Moses and the prophets.

The other important point of the parable is  the need of conversion,

a need that the Gospel are constantly inculcating.

Conversion is urgent because judgment is close at hand.

Many passages teach the necessity of conversion

 (Luke 3:3, 10:13; 11:32; 13:3,5 and 5:24-27).

Saint Luke evidently regarded his theme

as of the utmost importance for Israel.

 ( From: The Liturgical Year cycle C, by Adrian Nocent OSB)

26th Sunday Ord. Time