Daily Readings - Thu Mar 21 2019
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
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.