Greetings on this the Wednesday of Holy Week Readings: Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 31 and 33-34; Matthew 26:14-25
Summary
How can Judas betray Jesus? One might say it was because he never appreciated with fear and trembling the works of the Lord.
When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.” (MT 26:20-21, 24).
Reflection
Sobering thought on so many levels. An enormity of a deed is such that it would be better not to exist than to do it (USCCB Commentary).
We can heap a lot of scorn on Judas’ head. He was there to see miracles, he received supernatural blessings, he partook in the Sign miracles and more. Nonetheless he betrayed.
Instead, work out your salvation with fear and trembling (Phil 2:12b).
The dividing line – betrayal – thirty pieces of silver
Greetings on this the Tuesday of Holy Week
Readings: Isaiah 49:1-6; Psalm 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5ab-6ab, 15 and 17; John 13:21-33, 36-38
Summary
During Holy Week, in the gospel of John, we have entered the Book of Glory.
“The Book of Glory”: 13:1—20:31 (Last Supper: Washing the Disciples’ Feet, Foretelling Judas’ Betrayal & Peter’s Denial, Farewell Discourses; Jesus’ Great Prayer; Passion Narrative: Arrest, Hearings & Trials, Crucifixion, Death & Burial; Resurrection Appearances, esp. to Mary Magdalene and Thomas) x-ref https://catholic-resources.org/John/Outlines-Gospel.htm
In our gospel portion today and tomorrow the Betrayal by Judas is given in two parts (two gospel accounts, John and Matthew). In the gospel of John, the Washing of the Disciples’ Feet precedes the handing of the morsel and just after the giving of The New Commandment. In the gospel of Matthew, the scene begins with The Betrayal by Judas with the authorities and immediately followed by The Lord’s Supper.
Both the prediction of the denial of Jesus by Peter and the betrayal by Judas are given today. For Judas a determination of will and for Peter the weakness of the heart.
The Dividing Line
The Book of Signs is completed and now the great dividing line. Either we accept Jesus or we reject him. The last disagreements between the disciples has finished. Judas has left. What are left are believers. Weak hearted believers but believers. Some scattered, Peter denied, a few at a distance, and another wanted to use the sword to defend.
How then Glory?
Jesus, the humble and suffering Servant – And I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD, and my God is now my strength! It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth (Isa 49:6).
Jesus, Allowing the betrayal – When [Judas] had left, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him at once. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, and as I told the [authorities], ‘Where I go you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you.” (Jn 13:31-33)
Jesus, Allowing the denial – Peter said to him, “Master, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.” (Jn 13: 36-38).
Just beyond the reading scope today, the New Commandment (Jesus, the Lord who commands). In our scope today the Glory begins with the permissive and humble heart of God. Jesus was deeply troubled and testified (Jn 13:21), but he kept his heart firmly for our redemption.
Reflection
So Judas took the morsel and left at once. And it was night (Jn 13:30). Do we acknowledge the Signs of Jesus? Or do we take a simple morsel of betrayal and conduct our lives as before with money and greed and advantage? There are inflection points in our lives. We decide A or B, good or bad, help or harm.
Even in the darkness of today’s gospel portion, we can proclaim: Thus says the LORD: In a time of favor I answer you, on the day of salvation I help you (Isa 49:8). And again, Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Cor 6:2b).
Personal Reflection
It hits hard today’s gospel portion. Jesus shares everything and even washed my feet. It is a reflexive action to wonder how I might or might not reflect this love back to him and to the children he loves, that is, all of us.
But even now, even in the darkest movements. But the sun is not yet high in the sky. There is time, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Greetings on this the Monday of Holy Week Readings: Isaiah 42:1-7; Psalm 27:1, 2, 3, 13-14; John 12:1-11
Summary
The land will never lack for needy persons; that is why I command you: “Open your hand freely to your poor and to your needy kin in your land.” (Deut 15:11). So Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me. (Jn 12:7-8)”
This Holy Week we must think like Mary and act like Mary in our gospel portion. Render love when we love. Learn to love where we do not have any.
Entering the Passion
Today is Monday of Holy Week. We have entered the climax of the conflict between humble love and extreme power. Beginning with Palm Sunday which is a sort of preamble of the Holy Week summarizing the events leading up to the tomb. Through the week, we step into each movement. The Easter Vigil speaks to victory over death and the final sign of Moses.
Gentle Lord
Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, Upon whom I have put my Spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations, Not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, Until he establishes justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait for his teaching (ISa 42:1-4).
The large crowd of the [people] found out that he was there and came, not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. And the [leadership] plotted to kill Lazarus too, because many of the [people] were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him (modified Jn 12:9-11).
Personal Reflection
Today has three specific meanings to me.
Render to God that which is God’s. Mary returns love to the Lord because she loves him, accepts him and accepts the fate that is his alone. Yes, there are other uses for our resources and many of those uses are good in the ordinary sense. But we are given to also show our love for the Lord. It wasn’t at the expense of the poor but for the ultimate good for the poor she loved on Jesus!
Render to the human family that which belongs to them. This too is love. Not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street like a carnival barker. When we see and interact with a bruised reed, we shall not break, and a broken heart needing care as a smoldering wick we shall not quench, Until we/he/us establishes justice on the earth.
The raising of Lazarus was the sign of Jesus’ power and later his Resurrection a sign of his Authority, authenticity, reliability as to his teachings.
My To-Dos Today
Remind God I love him.
Remind humaity I love them,too.
Remember the divine hope given us in Jesus.
Not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street like a carnival barker. Rather, quietly, personally as Mary did, give the Lord my perfumed oil. Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil (Jn 12:3).
You are gods (you have been given the power to judge)
Greetings on this the Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent Readings: Jeremiah 20:10-13; Psalm 18:2-3a, 3bc-4, 5-6, 7; John 10:31-42
Introduction
In our sacred readings today we deal with the problem of unbelief. For the Prophet it can be very painful. For the one who rejects, it reveals two important observations:
We reject what challenges our desires.
We are called to account as gods – the authority to judge wisely.
Jeremiah’s Interior Crisis
In our first reading today, Jeremiah is crushed. He has been selected by the Lord to proclaim the good, admonish for the wrong and to bring unity to the people under the circumstance of great distress. Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you (Jer 1:5).
It didn’t feel too exclusive and inclusive. “Denounce! let us denounce him!” All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine. “Perhaps he can be tricked; then we will prevail and take our revenge on him (Jer 20:10). [Jeremiah laments] Cursed be the day on which I was born! May the day my mother gave me birth never be blessed! Cursed be the one who brought the news to my father, “A child, a son, has been born to you!” filling him with great joy (Jer 20:14-15).
Jeremiah’s Influence after Death
In actual fact, Jeremiah was more appreciated after his death than while alive. Arrest, imprisonment, and public disgrace were his lot. [Later] the exiled community read and meditated on the lessons of the prophet; his influence is evident in Ezekiel, some of the psalms, Is 40–66, and Daniel (NABRE Commentary https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/0).
In a similar way, our gospel account
The [leadership] picked up rocks to stone Jesus. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?” The [leadership] answered him, “We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God. (Jn 10:31-33)”
The leadership struggled to see Jesus for who he is and what he does as evidence of who he is. Those who did see had a different conclusion.
[Jesus] went back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized, and there he remained. Many came to him and said, “John performed no sign, but everything John said about this man was true.” And many there began to believe in him (Jn 10:40-42).
Reflection
Jeremiah praised the Lord for his love of the people and was at the same time completely aware of the opposition and the lengths people will go to self-justify their actions. Jesus for his part makes similar observations and with a solution.
If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize [and understand] that the Father is in me and I am in the Father (Jn 10:37-38).
Personal Reflection
Evidence based reasoning is well established before the modern age. You have the right and the obligation to test all spirits, if you will. But it is certain that the leadership could not even find their way with a series of steps.
If Father, then Son. They correctly surmised that Jesus is alluding to his divine sonship. But since Jesus is a prophet that follows after Moses, his testimony is true.
Jesus fulfills the Moses authenticity test.
So the objection is not really who and what Jesus is and does. The objections is that Jesus is in contradiction to what we are and what we do. Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods”’? (Jn 10:34). This means we are given the divine right to judge but judge wisely.
Jeremiah had an interior crisis because of the difficulty in dealing with people who judge poorly and attack what they do not like. Jeremiah was right, Jesus was right.
If another moves you to slanderous and murderous thoughts (or milder versions of anger), judge carefully. Do you reject what is holy in them too? If like Jeremiah you are simply overwhelmed by the vindictiveness of people in the face of truth, well, have confidence that even after your death the good you do and say will be remembered somehow.
Suck it Up
As an old priest friend used to say when we have Jeremiah moments: “Suck it up, Buttercup”. Have comfort in knowing the Lord will make his will through you fruitful, even if it is after your death. Same-same, Jesus.
Judge
How do you judge those around you?
Do you reject the good in them because of their errors?
Greetings on this the Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent Readings: Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62; Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6; John 8:12-20
Summary
I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord, but rather in his conversion, that he may live (Ezekiel 33:11).
It is remarkable and therefore my remarks! Isn’t it impactful and critical to recall that for two days running our sacred readings deal with the maltreatment of women.
One the Fifth Sunday of Lent – A Woman Caught in Adultery.
One the Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent – The Story of Susanna.
Worthy we are to learn and be corrected by the Lord! Light scatters the darkness of our souls!
In our reading from the Prophet Daniel is the story of Susanna. It ends well but it is a chilling narrative.
The themes are so similar it is amazing the warning we are receiving.
In both stories these are Men of Authority.
In both stories they wished to ‘use’ the woman (singular) for personal benefit (as they see it, not as reality).
In both stories they use the LAW as a way to justify their sin.
In both stories they use sexual ethics as a weapon.
That year, two elders of the people were appointed judges, of whom the Lord said, “Wickedness has come out of Babylon: from the elders who were to govern the people as judges. (Dn 13:5)”. When the old men saw her enter every day for her walk, they began to lust for her. They suppressed their consciences; they would not allow their eyes to look to heaven, and did not keep in mind just judgments (Dn 13:8-9). “Look,” they said, “the garden doors are shut, and no one can see us; give in to our desire, and lie with us. If you refuse, we will testify against you that you dismissed your maids because a young man was here with you. (Dn 13:20-21)”. [Confrontation and Escape, now a trial] In the midst of the people the two elders rose up and laid their hands on her head. Through tears she looked up to heaven, for she trusted in the Lord wholeheartedly (Dn 13:34-35). [They lie] “We testify to this.” The assembly believed them, since they were elders and judges of the people, and they condemned her to death (Dn 13:41).
It gets better! What a wonderfully written story and how it invokes in me the desire to say – Enough!
(See link below for the readings).
There are differences between the stories of course. Yesterday, they dropped their stones and walked away knowing they are sinners. In today’s reading they doubled-down (in our current idioms). This insistence in being evil brought them a horrible end.
In both stories, the Lord saved the women from the men. Period. End. Too important to miss especially in the season of Lent, a period of self-reflection.
Reflection
For the women reading: Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side (PS 32:4ab).
Pray and Insist – the Lord will come to your aid
Pray and insist with the Lord your safety and dignity given you in your very creation. The Lord knows your worries and will always come to your aid. I cannot speak to every instance and circumstances (we are all under the pain of death), but the divine will is most favorable to you, femininity of God, half of all the human population in the world!
But Susanna cried aloud: “O eternal God, you know what is hidden and are aware of all things before they come to be: you know that they have testified falsely against me. Here I am about to die, though I have done none of the things with which these wicked men have charged me. (Dn 13:42-43)”
Personal Reflection
Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (Jn 8:12).”
To know Jesus is to know light and truth. Light and truth bring a brilliant awareness of the distance between holiness and the human condition as my own. May we be inspired like Daniel, (God stirred up the holy spirit of a young boy named Daniel), to know and want true justice and restoration. Now and forever! Have the Light of Life!
Greetings on this the Fifth Sunday of Lent Readings: Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6.; Philippians 3:8-14; John 8:1-11
A Woman Caught in Adultery
Law is a guide, Mercy is a cure.
The gospel reading today is difficult to traverse in heart and mind. The woman caught in adultery invokes in everyone a different response and instinctual reaction. It is a story that can keep the wonder of grace and mercy ever before our eyes. And to avoid the worst choice – to condemn is to be condemned.
Just prior to the encounter with the mob and the woman, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. It is on the Mount of Olive that some sacrifices were made. It is this mount Jesus Ascended into Heaven and to the same Mount the Messiah will return. In a very real way, this coming down from the Mount and the encounter of these men and the one woman is a recapitulation of the central theme of Jesus’ ministry, salvation. And immediately to the story, the weight of law in comparison to mercy. Which we can conclude, Law is a guide, Mercy is a cure.
Writing (to enroll) in the ground by Jesus is an invocation of the prophet Jeremiah: The rebels shall be enrolled in the netherworld; they have forsaken the LORD, source of living waters (Jer 17:13).
Judgement
Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?.
Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger.
But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Again he bent down and wrote on the ground.
And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders.
Mercy
Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
She replied, “No one, sir.”
Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you.
Go, and from now on do not sin any more.
Reflection
Jesus comes down from the mount to encounter the human weakness where we declare ‘This one is worse than me’. Jesus responds, then which of you is righteous (in right relation)?
They all walked away. It cannot be over emphasized that the men, if they stoned her, would be enrolled in the netherworld – Hades, Hell. Jesus was trying to SAVE EVERYONE in this story, in the first instance from personal error and the second instance the misapplication of law.
Here then is the problem. How do we read the law and what is the law good for? The Good News of Jesus Christ is that forgiveness and forbearance are higher order principles. The law is perfectly fine to describe what shouldn’t be. But the prescription of resolution has been moved to mercy. The work of knowing the difference is that of the Holy Spirit enlightening us as Jesus did that day.
Personal Reflection
Being merciful is work. Hard work sometimes depending on the degree of offense. But it is Holy work. We will always struggle with the injustices visited upon us. We must learn the way of Jesus guided by the Holy Spirit.
Greetings on this the Fourth Sunday of Lent Readings: Joshua 5:9a, 10-12; Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7.; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
Summary
This man welcomes sinners and eats with them (LK 15:2).
Jesus wants us to talk with him and he with us. A dialog. A conversation. There is no barrier to the dialog only the willingness to accept the generosity to be heard. To be really heard. He loves to hear our opinion:
Tell us, then, what is your opinion? (Matt 22:17).
What is your opinion about the Messiah? (Matt 22:42).
What is written in the law? How do you read it? (LK 10:26).
Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? (LK 12:51).
Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? (LK 12:57).
These are but examples of the questions Jesus asks so we can open up and talk.
Open up and talk to Jesus.
Lost Sheep: And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy (LK 15:5). Lost Coin: Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost (LK 15:9). Lost Son: [to the servants] This son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. [to the brother} But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.(LK 15:24, 32).
Reflection
Rejoice!
You are called by the Lord so as to return to him. From the moment of your awakening to your separation from divine love, and While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him (LK 15:20).
Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent Readings: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9; Psalm 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20; Matthew 5:17-19
Summary
However, take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children’s children. (Duet 4:9).
Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill (Matt 5:17).
Attitude of Gratitude
People in recovery programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, or in psychotherapy for depression or anxiety disorders are often of the practice of doing gratitude lists. That is to keep careful record of the good things that are occurring or the good ways people help them. Simple things and universal (rain, sun, night, day) and profoundly personal things (sobriety yesterday, reconciliation with family).
It should not be far from us to then apply the same line of reasoning to the Lord. Moses warned the people, having just received the law, to adapt an attitude of gratitude.
Take Care.
Be earnest.
Be on guard.
Do not forget.
Remember what you saw (Exodus event, freedom from Egypt).
Work at remembering them.
Work at teaching them from generation to generation.
Jesus Remembers at the Core
In the gospel portion today, Jesus reminds the people to remember with gratitude as well. He describes it differently. Jesus says I have not come to abolish but to remember.
What follows in the gospel of Matthew is a series of six extensions of the law. Three are acceptance the Mosaic law but extend or deepen it and three reject it as a standard of conduct for the disciples (NABRE Commentary). It is helpful to remember the structure of the 5th chapter of the gospel of Matthew.
Beatitudes – how you are to be.
The Similes of Salt and Light – who you are.
The Law affirmed – right relation.
Modifiers to the Law (extend, deepen and set aside). Anger, Adultery, Divorce, Oaths, Retaliation and Love Enemies.
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect (MT 5:48).
If the LAW is the fulcrum point then on one side we have the Beatitudes and Similies and on the other deeper expressions of the law and application.
Therefore, law is a central point but not valuable in and of itself (hang in there don’t declare a heresy yet). Law without Beatitudes and Deeper expressions is a point that has no contours. It is but nothing.
Perhaps you prefer the analogy of the Vanishing Point. Where two parallel lines going into the distance appear to merge into one point ahead? Both are present but become one.
Or perhaps from geometry? In geometry, a point is a fundamental, theoretical concept, an abstraction, rather than a physical reality, as it’s defined as having no dimensions or parts, which doesn’t exist in the real world (AI handy sentence).
The law then points to the Beatitudes and the pastoral refinements in expression of the law.
Personal Reflection
It s well to have an attitude of gratitude. It opens us up to the deeper truth and our reality as beloved of God. I pray for those who were my godparents (long since dead). They stood up for me in love and in the blessed hope of eternal life as I was baptized into the Lord some, ahem, years ago. Thank you, Joseph and Elizabeth (Peggy). May you rest in peace. The baptism was the deeper thing.
Greetings on this the Friday of the Second Week of Lent Readings: Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a; Psalm 105:16-17, 18-19, 20-21; Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46
Summary
In today’s readings we encounter the reality of our rejection of God by way of rejecting his beloved. In our first reading Joseph betrayed by his brothers because ‘dad loves him more’. In our gospel reading, they coveted the property and inheritance of the son. This jealousy kills both victim and victimizer. Thankfully the Lord looks beyond such weaknesses and brings restoration and salvation to all.
Joseph Betrayed by His Brothers
They then sat down to their meal. Looking up, they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, their camels laden with gum, balm and resin to be taken down to Egypt. Judah said to his brothers: “What is to be gained by killing our brother and concealing his blood? Rather, let us sell him to these Ishmaelites, instead of doing away with him ourselves. After all, he is our brother, our own flesh.” His brothers agreed. They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver (Gen 37:25-28a).
Jesus betrayed by His Brothers
[As taught by way of the parable] But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.’ They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him (MT 21:38-39).
The Lord will Not Abandon His Beloved
Joseph
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Look, I put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” With that, Pharaoh took off his signet ring* and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck (Gen 41:41-42).
Jesus
Jesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes? (MT 21:42).
Personal Reflection
Jealousy is an angry beast. Joseph was loved by his father and his brothers jealous of this special consideration. Jesus was beloved of the people and his father and the leadership / powerful were jealous of this special consideration. How we are impoverished by our jealousies! How we covet love beyond the amazing love already ours!
God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son; so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life (Jn 3:16).
Change of Heart
In this time of Lent shall we not focus otherwise?
On the fact that you are invited to a beautiful life in love of the begotten one?
Is not this love enough for us that comparisons are not the basis of our awareness?
Is not this divine love a marvel for our human family?
Generative AI Helpful Explanation
See image here which outlines How to Avoid Jealousy.
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
Don’t you just love New Year’s? You get to start all over. Everybody gets a second chance – a quote from the movie Forest Gump.
As we approach Laetare Sunday, Rejoice Sunday, (we wear Rose colored clerical stoles, chasubles and dalmatics) it is to remind us that in the midst of the WORK of renewal there is the HOPE ASSURED of Success. Dives (the Rich Man) did not put his trust in the Lord.
Blessed are those who trust in the LORD; the LORD will be their trust (Jer 17:7).
The Work
The Lord knows the difficulty of the work. His entire mission on earth both in Galilee and in Jerusalem was the divine work of reconciliation and restoration. He had the desert experience, the temptations, the abuse, the betrayal and the disregard. He knows also the core problem. Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing (MK 10:21).
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 (Jer 17:9-10).
The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
Who can understand the heart of the rich man in this parable? How can he live this way and yet we know he isn’t an historical story but rather he is us. Dives is everyone.
The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.
“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 (LK 16:19-23).
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 (LK 16:31).
Building Trust – a two part program
Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance (LK 8:15).Blessed are they who hope in the Lord (PS 40:5a).
The first psalm of all the psalms and the first verse of all the psalm verses stands as the trust builder.
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in company with scoffers. Rather, the law of the LORD is his joy; and on his law he meditates day and night (PS 1:1-2).
We can choose these things and allow the blessed effects happen! Act, Support, Align.
Do not walk (act) in the counsel of the wicked (wisdom of evil).
Do not stand with (support) the way of sinners (think of evil).
Do not sit with (align) in the company of scoffers (faithless).
Focus instead on the holy things.
Do good.
Plan good.
Align with the good.
Everybody gets a second chance.
Personal Reflection
Remember how the Lord saved his people. Remember the 40 years in the desert. Remember the Gospel (the Good News of Jesus Christ). Remember and live.
I led you for forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes did not fall from you in tatters nor your sandals from your feet; [nor did your feet swell these forty years Duet 8:4b] it was not bread that you ate (Manna), nor wine or beer that you drank (water from a stone) —so that you might know that I, the LORD, am your God (Duet 29:4-5).
