Daily Readings - Thu Mar 01 2018
Jeremiah
5Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD.6He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.7"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.8He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."9The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?10"I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds."
Luke
19"There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.20And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,21who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores.22The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried,23and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.24And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.'25But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.26And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.'27And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house--28for I have five brothers--so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.'29But Abraham said, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.'30And he said, 'No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.'31He said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.'"
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of trust, judgment, and the consequences of our choices. In the first reading from Jeremiah, we hear a stark warning about the dangers of placing our trust in human strength and wealth rather than in God. The prophet contrasts the cursed person who relies on flesh and worldly power with the blessed person who trusts in the Lord, likening the latter to a tree planted by water that bears fruit even in times of drought. This image reminds us that true stability and flourishing come from rootedness in God, while reliance on earthly things leads to dryness and barrenness.
The Gospel parable of Lazarus and the rich man drives home a similar message, but with a focus on the social dimensions of faith. The rich man, who ignored Lazarus’ suffering at his gate, finds himself in torment after death, while Lazarus is comforted in the bosom of Abraham. This story is not just about wealth and poverty; it is about the failure to see and love as God sees and loves. The rich man’s sin was not merely his wealth, but his indifference to the needs of another human being. His request to warn his brothers is met with Abraham’s reminder that those who do not listen to the Scriptures will not be persuaded even by a miracle. This underscores the importance of living according to God’s word and being attentive to the needs of others.
Together, these readings call us to examine where we place our trust and how we live out our faith in daily life. Do we trust in God, or do we rely on our own strength and possessions? Do we see and serve Christ in those around us, especially the marginalized and vulnerable? The moral lesson is clear: faith that does not lead to love and service is empty. Let us strive to be like the tree planted by water, bearing fruit in season and out of season, and let us not be like the rich man, who awoke too late to the reality of his own spiritual poverty. May we turn to God with humble hearts, trusting in His providence and living in a way that reflects His love for all.