The Catholic Calendar for Thursday, March 16, 2006
Thursday of the Second Week of Lent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 17:5-10
Psalm 1:1-4, 6
Luke 16:19-31

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Trust is a very complicated subject! Scripture tries to prepare us for that, and yet sometimes we are blinded and still put our primary trust in another human. We're then startled when things don't go 'our way." In the first reading from Jeremiah, we're reminded that "More tortuous than all else is the human heart.... and that I, the Lord, alone probe the mind and test the heart."

Is scripture then telling us not to trust other humans, our mother father, and brother? No, of course not! But, in God alone, the Creator of all can we really trust. Even if we forsake God, He will never forsake us, as He cannot deny Himself. As St. Augustine said "Our hearts are restless, until they rest in Thee."

The gospel is that of 'the rich man' and poor Lazarus! At death, we hear that Lazarus was judged more kindly, while the 'rich man' struggled in the nether world.

Isn't it interesting that in the gospel story Lazarus was given a name, but the 'rich man' had none? Perhaps we are to identify with the rich man. What riches do we have, and what are we doing with them to feed the "Lazaruses" of the world. Do we have freedom, knowledge, special talents, etc? Can we share them with others?

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)

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