Thursday, Second Week of Lent

Daily Readings for Lent
Today's readings: March 4, 2010
First Reading: Jer 17:5-10;
Responsorial Psalm: 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6 ;
Gospel: Lk 16:19-31 ;

And here's an audio file and a video of a priest offering reflections.

 First Reading:  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.

Responsorial Psalm  1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6
R.          Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R.        Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R.        Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.
Not so, the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R.        Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

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.’

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Commentary: Each year for Lent, we are asked to focus on 3 things - prayer, fasting, and alms giving.  Today's readings seem to point to alms giving and prayer. What is prayer? For me, it is about talking and even better, listening to God and developing that relationship. After all, relationships do take time and energy - why would it be any different in our relationship with God? And alms giving is not only about charitable works involving poor folks - it is also about giving of your heart and your time. So today, after I read this Gospel - I did something that I wanted to do for an older sick person I visit. We have been meeting now for some time, and I am honored to call her a friend too. Try it yourself - do something. Whatever it might be - and do more of it this Lenten season. Grow.

Another habit during Lent for me involves more time in prayer and meditation. I try and read a short Bible story that is not that well known, but one of my personal favorites. It is called Tobit - and it is very short, but wow - what a story. Years ago, Rembrandt made a wonderful painting of Tobit, and his wife Anna. It appears to capture the moment described in chapter two, where Tobit scolds his wife for doing something, she is perfectly innocent of doing. But then, she upbraids poor Tobit with a few short terse words, that is the straw that breaks the Camel's back so to speak. And he utters one of the saddest prayers in the Bible at the beginning of chapter 3. The poor guy is so distraught, he essentially tells God, that he (Tobit) is a despicable creature, and worthy of death. And asks God, please - in your mercy- please... end my miserable life. But before you judge this old man, read the story - he is quite a good man. He has lost everything, trying to be a good man. And he has pulled himself up countless times, and kept on trying. But - it only took one little comment by his wife, to be - that final straw. And don't judge Anna harshly, Tobit had it coming. So, I thought about that today, and then re-read the Gospel. And reminded myself that is is still early in "lent time" and as such, I have time to make amends where needed. I do not want to be that - last straw - for anyone. Pray for patience, I say to myself. Pray for patience.

And if you have a few minutes, check out this wonderful story - Tobit. Trust me, it's short. You will finish it in less than 30 or 40 minutes, even if you are a slow reader like me. It is a story of healing, of hope, of giving alms to the poor, fasting and prayer. It has a wonderful archangel in it, love, sickness, fear, demons, miracles, and adventure too. It a glorious happy story, but you must get through to the end of it to understand. Wait till you hear Tobit's prayer at the end. It is totally different from his first prayer, offered in the depths of despair. His final prayer is wonderful and joyous. Have faith - the ending is great.