Daily Readings - Thu Mar 09 2023
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of trust, compassion, and the ultimate judgment of our lives. In the first reading from Jeremiah, we hear a stark contrast between those who trust in human strength and those who place their trust in God. The prophet warns that those who rely on flesh and blood will wither like a tree in a desert, while those who trust in the Lord will flourish like a tree by the waters. This passage reminds us that true security and happiness come not from earthly power or wealth but from a deep relationship with God.
In the Gospel, Luke presents the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, a story that challenges us to consider how we treat the most vulnerable among us. The rich man, who lived a life of luxury and ignored the suffering of Lazarus at his gate, finds himself in torment after death, while Lazarus is comforted in the bosom of Abraham. This parable is not just a warning about wealth; it is a call to live with compassion and awareness of the needs of others. The rich man’s tragedy was not his wealth itself but his failure to see Lazarus as a brother worthy of love and dignity.
These readings are deeply connected. Jeremiah’s message about trusting in God is lived out in the way we treat others. To trust in God means to act with mercy, kindness, and justice, especially toward those who are marginalized or overlooked. The rich man’s sin was not just his indifference to Lazarus but his failure to recognize that his wealth was a gift meant to be shared. As we go about our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Do we trust in God by trusting in His plan of love and compassion? Do we see Christ in the faces of those around us, especially those who are suffering? Let us strive to live in such a way that our faith is not just in our words but in our actions, and that our hearts remain open to the needs of others.