The readings today remind me of the story of Aesop of the tortoise and the hare and their attitudes towards the race.  The hare (rabbit)    having everything  all to win (the speed and the agility) became complacent and fell asleep.  The hare did not keep the eyes on the goal but rather took a break from the race thinking everything would be all right.  The first reading says the people of Judah had become very complacent like the hare. They ate and drank from their couches with the finest wine, not caring what happened to their kinsmen in Israel. Here we are also reminded of the rich man who dined sumptuously each day, ignoring Lazarus at his table side, such a good time he had!  This is the hare resting, taking a break from the race. 
    The second reading reminds more of the tortoise and of the life of Lazarus. He was like the tortoise who endured  suffering but with his eyes fixed on the goal.  St. Paul reminds us to “compete well in the faith.”  In other words, keep it going.  Do not stop to take a nap while the race of your salvation is still going on.  The prize of  immortality in heaven is too big to lose. 
   The Gospel reading brings everything together with a warning: if you become complacent in this life, there will be dire consequence in the next one.  The readings say apply yourself and walk with the Lord, slow and steady like the tortoise. Do not become complacent like the hare because then you may end up losing the race of your salvation.  Let’s not end our lives like the rich man wanting but a drop of water with so much thirst but let us be like Lazarus resting in the bosom of  Abraham because we competed well in the race while still in this world.