Greetings on this the Thursday of the Second Week of Lent
Readings: Jeremiah 17:5-10; Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6; Luke 16:19-31
Summary
Blessed are those who trust in the LORD. Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance. I, the LORD, explore the mind and test the heart, Giving to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their deeds. (Jer 17:7a; See Luke 8:15; Jer 17:10).
The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.
There are many lens with which one can contemplate the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. The Church today asks us to encounter the gospel story through the lense of True Wisdom which Jeremiah describes as those who Trust in Men and those who Trust in the Lord.
Trusting In Men
Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh.
Like a a barren bush, stands in a lava waste, and enjoys no change of season.
Trusting in the Lord
A tree planted beside the waters.
Fears not the heat, shows no distress, bears fruit.
Reflection
The parable of the rich man, shows us the very depth of the problem Jeremiah describes: More tortuous than all else is the human heart, beyond remedy; who can understand it? (Jer 17:9).
“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 (Lk 16:19-20).
It really isn’t necessary to go beyond the first sentence. Jeremiah describes this as a torturous existence. Not Lazarus, the rich man.
Who can understand it? Living luxuriously while others starve, even at our front door, is not visually torturous yet such it is.
Perhaps, we can understand it by taking the vision that follows as the current state of life for the rich man.
- Lonely. “I am suffering torment in these flames.”
- Isolated. “Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger…” — he cannot even speak directly to Lazarus.
- Imprisoned. “A great chasm has been established.” Have we built such walls ourselves?
- Orphaned by choice. “Send him to my father’s house.” Even his family becomes distant.
- Without faith. “Neither will they be persuaded even if someone should rise from the dead.”
Personal Reflection
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
(PS 1:1-2)
Walk in the counsel of the wise.
Walk in the ways of innocence.
Keep company with the considerate.
Keep your joy in faithful and praiseful relation with the Lord.
In finance we call it ‘a Trust’ – something placed in another’s care for safekeeping.
What do we trust?
Trust in the Lord.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030526.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry