Daily Readings - Thu Mar 17 2022
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
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.