Wednesday of the First Week of Lent
Most of us have our moments of envy for the very wealthy. We think it would be nice to have a new luxury car or to have a spacious house or to go on vacations around the world. It is hard for us to be satisfied with what we have, even though by the world’s standards, most of us in the U.S. are pretty wealthy. God’s message, however, has always subverted the human view of wealth. For in God’s eyes, the material possessions of human beings are worthless, and what matters is our relationship with God and our willingness to do his will.
Hence in our first reading today from the prophet Jeremiah we hear that the man who turns away from God and trusts in human beings is cursed, whereas the person who trusts in God is blessed, like a verdant tree planted near a stream. No doubt it is hard for us to look at the most respected and honored people of our society and view them (who turn away from God) as barren bushes standing in a wasteland. So also, we have a hard time looking at the poorest of this world who maintain their faith in God and seeing them as blessed. We might think to ourselves, if this is what it means to be blessed, then spare me the blessing!
This outlook is not so different than the one portrayed by Jesus in today’s parable from the Gospel of Luke. The rich man in this story lived an enjoyable life, wearing the best clothing and eating the best food. The poor man Lazarus, meanwhile, suffered physically from his sores and emotionally from being cast off from society. By the end of the story, however, we can come to grasp why the rich man is cursed whereas Lazarus is blessed. You see, the story of a human being’s life on earth is not the end of the story. True blessing lies for us beyond the grave and not in this world alone, and if we can recognize this, it will change our lives.
The season of Lent is one in which we try each day to recognize the relationship between cross and resurrection, between suffering and triumph, between humility and exaltation, between penance and celebration. This relationship is reflected in Lazarus’s being comforted; the Lord “will reward everyone according to his ways” (Jer 17:10).
It is interesting, however, that the rich man in this parable still cares enough for his brethren that he wants to warn them of their impending doom. To this Abraham reminds him that they have already ignored Moses and the prophets. Why would they be persuaded if someone were to rise from the dead? (Lk 16:31). At first glance, this seems only to be a reference to Lazarus, that is, if Lazarus were to go to his brother, they would not be persuaded to repent. But what Jesus is really doing here is predicting his own resurrection and their coming denial of it. Jesus’ resurrection follows from the words of Moses and the prophets. He is the fulfillment of all that has been taught and preached before him. Jesus did rise from the dead; the glorious resurrection made possible by his suffering and death.
During this season of Lent, we must tell ourselves daily that we ARE persuaded. Jesus’ cross and resurrection indicates the value of our own suffering and resurrection. We hear the message to repent, and we act on it so that we can celebrate fully the paschal mystery at Easter. Moreover, we live our lives here on earth knowing that each day brings us closer to eternal life with God. Each moment has the possibility to bring us closer to God. We are called to sanctify our lives. Today, take some time to try to see the world through God’s eyes and consider how it changes your world.
- Maria Morrow