Today's Lazarus and the Rich Man

Thirty years ago “the Lazarus speaker,” for northern Uganda entered our doorway- a humble man with a sense of humor, a love for newly discovered ice cream, a priest who wanted to uplift the lives of his people.

He changed our lives- no longer the rich man prototype, working to become more affluent, going faithfully to Sunday Mass, yet negligent using our God-given talents and wealth for the betterment of others, much less those living in abject poverty.

Here in America such extreme poverty exists but is hidden from Pillsbury neighbors, tech moguls, Pulitzer winners, yet extreme poverty is a daily reality for those in Msgr. Matthew’s world.

Jesus recognized His message is transmitted one by one; each has a special mission. Some are to awaken the people of your parish to both the physical and social needs of those who live nearby.

Msgr. Matthew puts a face of the Lazarus poor of his country to our rich country. He uses some large canvas portraits of children, aged folk, infirm survivors of a twenty year war, who can barely subsist where no government assistance is available. 

Help for Uganda attempts to give that assistance. Archbishop Flynn School does not replace government education schools - there were none in Padua, Uganda.  The new birthing center just opened was built and donated by a Minnesota doctor who visited Padua, Uganda after knowing Msgr Matthew.  There is a need to replace the lost, killed generation. A newly acquired 100 acre farm next to the school provides both food and vocational education. The seminary, left by the Comboni Missionary order, now has simple electricity, some screens on windows, no air conditioning,  Malaria and ebola are rampant. Need I go on... coaching crops from earth with no wells, or modern equipment, a dry and hot wet season, is not part of the American dream of living well?

Yet this is the Lazarus world of northern Uganda.

Help for Uganda’s base, like Msgr Matthew, is getting older, and while our immediate families continue the mission, new missionaries are needed. Fr Paul, in charge of the farm and school, is headed for Rome in January to finish his PhD.  Originally, it was thought he would become Msgr’s successor: however that may not be the bishop of Kampala’s thought. Now, in addition to speaking on four weekends,  Fr Paul is studying and writing at St Thomas and with others is implementing an idea Alabama gave to our group- The Angel Program.  They visualize three levels of giving: an angel of mercy, a guardian angel, and an archangel.  Each level would receive a thank you from the recipient, and hopefully they will continue to build a relationship with one in Uganda.  Some of our student groups have worked for a short period at the farm or school, living in the dormitory living quarters of the Uganda students. It is hoped these students of America and Uganda will grow into great Catholic leaders, changing the picture of Lazarus and rich man in Uganda and America as told in this gospel.

      Teresa of Avila said:

               Christ has no body now but yours

                No hands, no feet on earth but yours;

                Yours are the eyes with which He looks

                To see compassion in this world.