Continuing to think about this Gospel Reading-

The Reading was John 5:39-47. The parable was about the rich man who had a beggar at his gate. The beggar died, and so also the rich man.  The rich man was in hell, and across the gulf, he saw Lazarus the beggar in the bosom of Abraham. 
Abraham explained that in life, the rich man had everything he wanted, but Lazarus had suffered and had little. Abraham asked if Lazarus could come and put a drop of water on his dry lips. Abraham explained there was a great gulf between them, and it could not be crossed. The rich man then asked if Lazarus would go to his Father's house and tell his brothers this. Abraham says, "They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."
 How important acceptance is. Here was the Son of a loving Father, sent to earth to heal people and bring them a message of love from the Father. He was condemned for his loving grace and mercy towards us. He endured crucifixion, that we would have the chance to sit, so to speak, in the bosom of Abraham (Heaven).  It is amazing to me that the evil one is able to block and ridicule that Love, and make it so hard to hear, for us poor human beings whom He created. 
I was just such a person. Too intellectual to believe something so mind-boggling.  Jesus knocked on my door (noggin), and I got the message. Jesus is real, and I had better find out who he is! 
I just finished reading a George MacDonald series of books centered around a young Curate. The first book, The Curate's Awakening, says it profoundly and well. Better and more succinctly than I had ever read in a capsulized form about Faith, and the reality of Jesus Christ. It's worth reading, as are the other two.  The first one is exceptional.
And then this:  Luke 11:9-10
"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 
 
​(In regard to the above, this line represents the way we communicate with Jesus. He is not saying, 'I will give you the material goods that you want,' though He might. He is asking you to talk to Him, to ask Him to help you with worries, or sadness, or even to accomplish everyday chores. Speak to Him when you feel joy and are thankful for good things.  He wants you to ask Him for help that others might need, with friends, family, people that you love.)