Daily Readings - Thu Mar 21 2019
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.
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
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on trust and compassion. The first reading from Jeremiah contrasts the fate of those who trust in human strength with those who place their trust in God. The prophet uses the imagery of trees to illustrate this: one withers in barrenness, the other thrives by the waters of divine grace. The second reading, the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, vividly portrays the consequences of neglecting the poor and the importance of heeding God’s word.
Jeremiah’s prophecy is set against the backdrop of a nation on the brink of collapse, urging the Israelites to reflect on where their true trust lies. The parable in Luke, part of Jesus’ teachings, emphasizes the reversal of fortunes in the afterlife, highlighting the rich man’s obliviousness to Lazarus’ suffering and the eternal consequences of such indifference. Both readings call us to examine our priorities and actions in light of God’s will.
In our daily lives, these readings remind us to cultivate trust in God and to live with compassion. We are challenged to recognize the dignity of every person and to act with justice and mercy. The moral lesson is clear: our actions have eternal consequences, and true faith is demonstrated through love and service to others. As we reflect on these teachings, may we strive to be like the tree planted by living waters, bearing fruit in season and out of season, and may our hearts be transformed by the love of God.