Reading I
Jer 17:5-10
Thus says the LORD:
Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings,
who seeks his strength in flesh,
whose heart turns away from the LORD.
He is like a barren bush in the desert
that enjoys no change of season,
But stands in a lava waste,
a salt and empty earth.
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose hope is the LORD.
He is like a tree planted beside the waters
that stretches out its roots to the stream:
It fears not the heat when it comes,
its leaves stay green;
In the year of drought it shows no distress,
but still bears fruit.
More tortuous than all else is the human heart,
beyond remedy; who can understand it?
I, the LORD, alone probe the mind
and test the heart,
To reward everyone according to his ways,
according to the merit of his deeds.
Gospel
Lk 16:19-31
Jesus said to the Pharisees:
“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen
and dined sumptuously each day.
And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps
that fell from the rich man’s table.
Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.
When the poor man died,
he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.
The rich man also died and was buried,
and from the netherworld, where he was in torment,
he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off
and Lazarus at his side.
And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me.
Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue,
for I am suffering torment in these flames.’
Abraham replied, ‘My child,
remember that you received what was good during your lifetime
while Lazarus likewise received what was bad;
but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.
Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established
to prevent anyone from crossing
who might wish to go from our side to yours
or from your side to ours.’
He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him
to my father’s house,
for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them,
lest they too come to this place of torment.’
But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets.
Let them listen to them.’
He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham,
but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
Then Abraham said,
‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded
if someone should rise from the dead.’“
Meditation: Jeremiah 17:5-10
He is like a barren bush in the desert that … stands in a lava waste, a salt and empty earth. (Jeremiah 17:6)
Poetically, Jeremiah says that the man who fails to trust in God is stuck in a place with “no change of seasons.” While we may complain about summer heat or winter snow, fall leaf-raking and spring mud, most of us enjoy the changing seasons. We love the brilliant colors of autumn and welcome the first snowfall that transforms a dingy landscape. Most of all at this time of year, we look for the first crocus poking through the ground and the light green of tightly curled new leaves. It’s no accident that the word “Lent” means “spring,” the promise of new life transforming the death we experience or even cause.
How about our spiritual life? Are we like that “barren bush in the desert”? Perhaps we’re stuck in the way we’ve always done things. Every year we give up the same vices for Lent but return to them when it’s over. Maybe we add pious practices but can’t wait to resume life as usual on Easter Monday. We may feel trapped by our possessions or our responsibilities, and cannot see our way clear to deepen our relationship with the Lord.
If we trusted God more, how might he empower us to try something new? Maybe this year God is inviting us to add something to our Lenten observance, like a new way of praying or developing a new relationship. Maybe we’ve always done extra things like going to daily Mass or saying the whole rosary, but this year God is inviting us to carve out time simply to sit before him in silent listening. Maybe instead of saying, “I’ll pray for you,” God is emboldening us to say, “Can I pray with you right now?”
Maybe it’s time to move into a new season of our lives—from the spontaneity of childhood to the enthusiasm of youth, from the diligent work of middle age to the reflective wisdom of retirement. Remember that God won’t lead you anywhere he isn’t waiting to meet you! Ask him to reveal the next step in your journey together.
“God of wisdom, you have been our dwelling place from age to age. You never change, yet you are always new. Help me to open my heart to the new way you want to manifest your love in me this Lent.”
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