Thursday of the Second Week of Lent, March 16, 2017
1st Reading: Book of Jeremiah 17:5-10.
Thus says the LORD: Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season, But stands in a lava waste, a salt and empty earth. Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the LORD. He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; In the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit. More tortuous than all else is the human heart, beyond remedy; who can understand it? I, the LORD, alone probe the mind and test the heart, To reward everyone according to his ways, according to the merit of his deeds. The word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm: 1:1-2.3.4.6.
R/. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Holy Gospel: Luke 16:19-31.
Jesus said to the Pharisees: “There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’ Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’ He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.’ But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'” The gospel of the Lord.
THURSDAY REFLECTIONS:
Though it may be desirable to be rich in this life AND the next, that’s not the point of Jesus’ story. The point of His story is simple in that while on this Earth we must repent, turn from sin, listen to the words of Scripture, believe and keep our eyes on our true goal of the riches of Heaven. As for whether you are rich or poor in this life, it really shouldn’t matter. Though that’s a hard conviction to arrive at, interiorly, it must be our goal. Heaven, and the riches that await, must be our focus. And we prepare for Heaven by hearing the Word of God and responding with the utmost generosity.
The rich man could have responded in this life by seeing the dignity and value of the poor man lying in his doorway, and reaching out in love and mercy. But he didn’t. He was too focused on himself. Reflect, today, upon the stark contrast between these two men, and especially the eternity that awaited each of them. If we see any of the sinful tendencies of this rich man in our own lives, then repent of these sins and repent today. See the dignity and value in each person we encounter. And if we tend to be more focused upon our own selves, consumed with selfish pleasure and excess, seek to embrace true poverty of spirit, striving to be attached only to God and the abundant blessings that come with a full embrace of all that He has revealed to us.
Pray with me: Lord, please free me from my selfishness. Help me, instead, to remain focused upon the dignity of all people, and to pour myself out in their service. May I discover in the poor, the broken and the humble, an image of You. And as I discover Your presence in their lives, may I love You, in them, seeking to be an instrument of Your mercy. Jesus, I trust in You that You alone will heal our sick brethren and set them free. May the souls of our faithful departed brethren rest in perfect peace, amen.
Sourced by Wiezman Eleanya