From Today's [Byzantine Rite] Gospel Reading...
It seems indicative of the greatness of the gospel over law that Abraham says to the rich man in torment who wants Lazarus to go back to warn his brothers: "If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead." (Luke 16:25-30)
Abraham seems to be saying, in effect, that the Old Covenant is enough to be saved, that Moses and prophets ought be sufficient. "Though someone should rise from the dead" is an allusion to Jesus, but fortunately Christ did not see his mission as hopeless or useless or unpersuasive. The Incarnation and Resurrection are illustrations of God going beyond what we, who often act like the rich man, deserve. If Jesus took Abraham's approach, he could've said to us that we have Moses and the prophets and we have no need for Him to die and rise.
Some might read that parable in a Pharisiac way: that if you don't do x,y,z then it's your own fault and you deserve whatever punishment you might receive. But thank God for the hope of mercy. Jesus came to earth even for the deaf and hard of heart, for me and Chris Hitchens, for the rich man and his brothers.
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