Lazarus & the Rich Man: Archetypes of Agony and Entitlement

Jesus’ parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Lk 16:19-31) juxtaposes agony and entitlement. The Rich Man and Lazarus represent universal “types”: the Rich Man belongs to the “haves” while Lazarus belongs to the “have nots.” Appearing in myths, sacred stories and folk tales, these archetypes are also evident in social structures across the globe. As such, they can represent individuals (e.g., a king and a pauper) or groups of people (e.g., slaveholders and the enslaved). While the Rich Man feasts on fat foods and rich wines, reclining on a couch of ivory, Lazarus starves at his gates. Today, “Lazarus” is omnipresent, but we are often too blind to see his reflection and too deaf to heed the warnings of the prophets of our age who point to environmental catastrophe, economic collapse, and general mayhem—all of which are guaranteed to clone “Lazarus.” This session invites participants to reflect on their own patterns of entitlement and to consider more sustainable life choices.