Daily Readings - Thu Mar 20 2025
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the relationship between faith, trust, and how we live out our lives in light of God’s will. In the first reading from Jeremiah, we hear a stark warning: those who trust in human strength and turn away from the Lord are like a barren tree in the desert, unable to bear fruit. Conversely, those who place their trust in God are like a tree planted by water, flourishing even in times of drought. Jeremiah emphasizes that the heart is complex and only God can truly understand it, rewarding each person according to their actions and intentions.
In the Gospel, Luke presents us with the parable of Lazarus and the rich man. The rich man, consumed by his wealth and luxury, fails to notice Lazarus, the poor beggar at his gate. While Lazarus suffers on earth, he is comforted in the afterlife, while the rich man, who ignored the needs of others, finds himself in torment. This parable is not just a warning about wealth but a call to recognize the dignity of every person and to live with compassion and justice. Abraham’s response to the rich man’s plea makes it clear: our actions in this life have eternal consequences, and ignoring the suffering of others can lead to spiritual poverty.
These readings remind us that true faith is not just about belief but about how we live. To trust in God means to trust in His plan and to love our neighbors as ourselves. The rich man’s sin was not his wealth but his indifference to Lazarus’s suffering. Similarly, we are called to examine our own lives: do we see Christ in those around us, especially in those who are marginalized or forgotten? Let us strive to be like the tree planted by water, rooted in God’s love, and bear fruit by living with compassion, justice, and mercy. May we not be fooled by the comforts of this world but instead fix our eyes on the eternal life that God promises to those who trust in Him.