Blessed are they who hope in the Lord

Today's Mass Readings

“Blessed are they who hope in the Lord” (Ps. 40:5a) is today’s psalm response. The first reading from Jeremiah picks up on this theme of hope in a dramatic comparison between a barren desert bush and a tree planted beside waters. While the former never changes in its barrenness, the latter never changes in its fruitfulness. Those who hope in God are “always green,” always full of life, regardless of the circumstances. This passage from Jeremiah ends with the intriguing verse that the LORD rewards “everyone according to his ways, according to the merit of his deeds” (Jer. 17:10). What makes this verse intriguing is its juxtaposition with the gospel passage. At the time of Jesus, and even now at our time, there is a tendency to look upon those who suffer or struggle and think that God is somehow punishing them, or, using the phrase of Jeremiah, we might say that God is rewarding them “according to their ways, the merit of their deeds.” But, of course, if we look closely at this passage, we see that Lazarus ultimately is rewarded by eternal life and eternal comfort, whereas the unnamed rich man receives eternal torment.
All human beings encounter some degree of suffering and struggle; some must deal with much more than others. Those who hope in the LORD regardless of how much suffering they endure are the green, fruitful trees. They receive the reward of eternal life, as did Lazarus. When we reflect on this passage, it is right to ask ourselves if we are more like the unnamed rich man who ignored poor Lazarus or like Lazarus himself. Are we more like the barren desert bush or the verdant tree? We certainly must not trick ourselves into believing that we “deserve” or “have earned” our resources (financial or otherwise). Whatever our financial prudence, everything good comes from God and is meant to be used to praise, reverence, and serve God.

In examining our lives, we may realize that we fall short of this. Often we are more like the barren desert bush and the wealthy man dressed in purple finery. These failures, far from leading us to despair, give us all the more reason to hope. The last line of the gospel passage is particularly insightful, as Abraham tells the wealthy man who is suffering torment, “If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead” (Lk. 16:31). The irony, of course, is that Jesus tells this story, and says this line, knowing that he will be raised from the dead. This, ultimately, is the source of our hope. Jesus not only dies for our sins, but is raised from the dead. We are persuaded by his resurrection, we are spurred onto hope because we are both redeemed and called to eternal life with God.

Let us strive to live a life that is fitting of this great gift. Let us strive to be the fruitful tree who relies on God for everything. Sacrifice is ephemeral, reward is eternal. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

- Maria Morrow