“WARM WITH GOD’S LOVE”
Lenten Reflections
1stMarch 2018.
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THURSDAY, SECOND WEEK OF LENT
Reading 1: Jer 17:5-10 Jeremiah presents the contrast between the person who trusts in himself rather than in God and the one who places his trust in the Lord.
Res. Psalm: Ps 1:1-4, 6 Happy the man who has placed his trust in the Lord.
Gospel: Lk16:19-31 We hear the story of the rich man who is punished in hell on account
of his indifference to the beggar lying at his gate.
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GOD’S LOVE FOR THE POOR
In the parable of today’s Gospel, we have only one of the character, Lazarus actually named. The rich man in the story remains anonymous. Only Lazarus is dignified in this way. Why Lazarus? Most likely because of the special place that the poor seem to have in God's heart. This parable shows us how deeply grieved God is by the injustices that reduce his children to beggars longing in vain for scraps from their more fortunate neighbors. God is calling us into his heart for the poor. He is calling us to see everyone, even the poorest and most desperate, as our brothers and sisters and to treat them with the dignity they all deserve.
If you had to choose, what would you prefer? To be rich and dine sumptuously every day, clothed in purple garments, having everything you could ever want in this world? Or to be a poor beggar, covered with sores, living in a doorway, feeling the pains of hunger? It’s an easy question to answer on the surface. The rich and comfortable life is more attractive at first thought. But the question should not be considered only on the surface, we must look deeper and consider the full contrast of these two people and the effects that their inner lives have on their eternal souls. As for the poor man, when he died “he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.” As for the rich man, the Scripture states that he “died and was buried” and went to the “netherworld, where he was in torment.”Now who would you prefer to be like? 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. 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. Reflect, today, If you see any of the sinful tendencies of this rich man in your own life, then repent of these sins and repent today. Amen.
Prayer: 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. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.
Lenten Act: Make friends with people who are despised by society, like beggars, handicapped, and specially-abled people. Make them experience the dignity and joy to be human beings.