March 20, 2025

Thursday of the Second Week of Lent

Lectionary 233

Luke 16:19-31: 

Meditation

The rich man in today's gospel enjoyed life's pleasures and did not need God. After his death, he experiences the torture that comes from life without God. On the other hand, Lazarus spent his life in misery but was at peace because his life was deeply rooted in faith.

We must note the rich man's sin as the parable describes it. It is not that he calls the police to have Lazarus removed from his door. It is not that he objects to giving Lazarus scraps from his table. It is not that he abuses Lazarus each time he passes him. The rich man's sin is that he ignores Lazarus. He doesn't lift a finger to help him. He even closes his eyes to the fact that Lazarus exists. His sin is not what he does to Lazarus. Instead, it is what he doesn't do for him.

We all know many "Lazaruses" in the world. Through no fault, many go without food, medical attention, jobs, and essential opportunities. Television news has often focused on their plight. While we enjoy our privacy and security, they remain outside our gates. How long can we ignore them? Even the dog in the story Jesus told did something: he licked Lazarus's sores.

During her short visit to La Salette, Mary showed us an ailing and suffering world. She spoke of a people "who cannot swear without bringing in the name of her Son." She spoke of many who would not observe the Sabbath.

"During Lent, they go to the meat markets like dogs," she commented. "A great famine is coming. Before the famine comes, children under seven will be seized with trembling and die in the arms of those holding them. The rest will do penance through the famine."

Wealthy people, like the poor, can be saved if they acknowledge their dependence upon God.