Daily Readings - Thu Mar 01 2018
First Reading - Jeremiah 17.5-10
Jeremiah
5Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.6For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.7Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.8For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.9The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?10I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
Gospel - Luke 16.19-31
Luke
19There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:20And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,21And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.22And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;23And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.24And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.25But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.26And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.27Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:28For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.29Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.30And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.31And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose 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.