Thursday of the Second Week of Lent
As we continue our spiritual journey in the second week of Lent, we can reflect on the words found in today’s gospel of Luke. Jesus’ parable is the account of a very rich man who lived a life of extreme luxury. Laid outside the gate of this rich man’s house, however, was a poor man named Lazarus. Lazarus simply hoped “to eat what fell from the rich man’s table.” The rich man was consumed by earthly pleasures and focused solely on himself so much so that he became blind to the needs of all around him. He showed Lazarus no love or compassion. Eventually, they both died. Lazarus was welcomed into the kingdom of God, and the rich man was doomed to suffer for eternity. Appealing to Abraham in heaven, the rich man requested that Lazarus be sent to cool his tongue with a drop of water to lessen his “agony in this fire.” The rich man also asked Abraham to send Lazarus back to earth to warn his brothers to repent so that they would never join him in hell. Both requests were denied. Abraham told the rich man that if his brothers did not believe in Scripture, neither would they believe Lazarus, even if he came straight from heaven.
The story of the rich man and Lazarus might be difficult for many of us whose lifestyle stands in sharp contrast with a majority of people in the world who live on much less. This story challenges us to first see “Lazarus” in our lives and then care for the needy in whatever way we can. Lent gives us a perfect opportunity to repent, transform ourselves, and joyfully live out the words of the gospel. One of our Lenten practices is almsgiving. Almsgiving comes from the Greek word, mercy. Instead of just putting a few dollars into the donation basket, let us seek new ways to give of ourselves and give from what we have. Pope Francis offered these words in his Lenten message in 2014, “In the poor and outcast we see Christ’s face; by loving and helping the poor, we love and serve Christ. Our efforts are also directed to ending violations of human dignity, discrimination, and abuse in the world, for these are so often the cause of destitution. When power, luxury, and money become idols, they take priority over the need for a fair distribution of wealth. Our consciences thus need to be converted to justice, equality, simplicity, and sharing.”
Today’s parable calls us to confront our own practices. In what ways can we open our eyes to who is around us, and live out Jesus’ commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves? Without an eye toward the needy, our life becomes self-centered like the rich man. Let us find practical ways to grow in our love of God and our love of our neighbor. Let us ask God to open our hearts and to let us look with compassion on the poor so that we become more like Jesus.
-Jessica Gabrielli