Daily Readings - Thu Mar 01 2018
Jeremiah
5This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD.6He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.7"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.8He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."9The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?10"I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve."
Luke
19"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.20At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores21and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.22"The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried.23In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.24So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'25"But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.26And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.'27"He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house,28for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'29"Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.'30"'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'31"He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises 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.