Daily Readings - Thu Mar 17 2022
Jeremiah
5Thus says the Lord: "Cursed is a man who trusts in man, and who establishes what is flesh as his right arm, and whose heart withdraws from the Lord6For he will be like a saltcedar tree in the desert. And he will not perceive it, when what is good has arrived. Instead, he will live in dryness, in a desert, in a land of salt, which is uninhabitable7Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, for the Lord will be his confidence8And he will be like a tree planted beside waters, which sends out its roots to moist soil. And it will not fear when the heat arrives. And its leaves will be green. And in the time of drought, it will not be anxious, nor will it cease at any time to bear fruit9The heart is depraved above all things, and it is unsearchable, who can know it10I am the Lord, who examines the heart and tests the temperament, who gives to each one according to his way and according to the fruit of his own decisions
Luke
19A certain man was wealthy, and he was clothed in purple and in fine linen. And he feasted splendidly every day20And there was a certain beggar, named Lazarus, who lay at his gate, covered with sores21wanting to be filled with the crumbs which were falling from the wealthy man’s table. But no one gave it to him. And even the dogs came and licked his sores22Then it happened that the beggar died, and he was carried by the Angels into the bosom of Abraham. Now the wealthy man also died, and he was entombed in Hell23Then lifting up his eyes, while he was in torments, he saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom24And crying out, he said: ‘Father Abraham, take pity on me and send Lazarus, so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water to refresh my tongue. For I am tortured in this fire.25And Abraham said to him: ‘Son, recall that you received good things in your life, and in comparison, Lazarus received bad things. But now he is consoled, and truly you are tormented26And besides all this, between us and you a great chaos has been established, so that those who might want to cross from here to you are not able, nor can someone cross from there to here.27And he said: ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers28so that he may testify to them, lest they also come into this place of torments.29And Abraham said to him: ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.30So he said: ‘No, father Abraham. But if someone were to go to them from the dead, they would repent.31But he said to him: ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they believe even if someone has resurrected from the dead.’
Sermon
Today’s readings invite us to reflect on trust, accountability, and our relationship with God and others. In Jeremiah, we hear a stark contrast: those who trust in humans are like barren shrubs, while those who trust in God are like trees by water, thriving even in drought. This was a message to the Israelites to rely on God rather than alliances, a lesson that resonates today. In Luke’s parable, Jesus tells of a rich man who ignored Lazarus at his gate, leading to torment after death, while Lazarus found peace. This parable emphasizes ethical responsibility and the consequences of neglecting the poor.
Both readings relate through themes of trust and accountability. Jeremiah underscores trusting God over human strength, while Luke’s parable shows the consequences of not living according to God’s will, especially in treating the poor. Together, they remind us that our actions have eternal implications and that true faith is lived through compassion and justice.
In our daily lives, we are called to prioritize trust in God and live with mercy. Let us examine our actions and ensure they reflect our faith, caring for those in need and heeding God’s teachings. The moral lesson is clear: trust in God and live out that trust through acts of love and justice, ensuring we build a life rooted in faith and compassion.