First Reading (Jeremiah 17:5-10)
Reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah.
Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Gospel (Luke 16:19-31)
— PROCLAMATION of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke.
— Glory to you, Lord.
At that time, Jesus said to the Pharisees: “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.
And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores.
The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’
But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’
And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’
And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.'”
— The Gospel of the Lord.
— Praise to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, may the peace of the Lord be with all of you!
Today, I want to begin our reflection with a story. I invite you to imagine a scene with me: a bustling avenue in the center of a big city, where people from different backgrounds and histories cross paths at every moment. It’s a place where the rush and worries of everyday life seem to suffocate hope and compassion.
In this avenue, there is a traffic light, a brief pause amidst the hustle. And it is in this fleeting moment that something extraordinary happens. An elderly man, dressed in worn-out and dirty clothes, approaches a hurried and agitated young man. The man extends his hand, humbly asking for help. The young man, immersed in his own problems, barely notices him and goes on his way.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the street, a woman with a generous heart observes the scene. She is also in a hurry, but something stops her. She approaches the elderly man, looks into his eyes, and smiles. She takes out some bills from her purse and places them in the man’s hands. And then, she says only two words: “God bless you.”
This story, dear brothers and sisters, is an invitation to reflect on the biblical passages we have just heard. In them, we find deep and timeless principles that guide us on our journey of faith. In the First Reading (Jeremiah 17:5-10), the prophet Jeremiah speaks to us about the importance of trusting in God and placing our hope in Him, instead of relying on wealth and human strength. He warns us against the temptation to place our trust in passing things and reminds us that only God is the true source of life and security.
This message resonates powerfully in the Gospel parable (Luke 16:19-31), where Jesus tells us the story of the rich miser and the poor Lazarus. In this story, we see the sad reality of a rich man who lives a life of excess and indifference towards the suffering of poor Lazarus, who is at his gate. The rich miser, immersed in his pursuit of earthly pleasures, neglects his responsibility to care for others and ends up experiencing the sorrow of separation from God.
These biblical passages invite us to reflect on our own lives. How often, like the hurried young man, do we let opportunities to help and love others pass by? How often do we allow ourselves to be seduced by the wealth and pleasures of this world, forgetting those around us who are in need? How often do we place our trust in passing things, instead of trusting in God, the true source of life and security?
Dear brothers and sisters, the parable of the rich miser and poor Lazarus is a call to conversion and selfless love. It challenges us to examine our hearts and rethink our priorities. It reminds us that the true value of our lives lies in how we love and serve others in the name of Christ.
In this story, we are confronted with the reality that our choices have eternal consequences. The rich miser, who neglected poor Lazarus, experienced separation from God after his death. He realized too late that his wealth had no value in the Kingdom of Heaven. The parable reminds us that life is a passing journey and that we must live according to the principles of the Kingdom of God, placing love and service to others above our own selfish interests.
But how can we apply these principles in our daily lives? How can we be like the generous woman in the story, who stopped to help the elderly man? Let me share some practical guidelines that can help us live according to the spiritual truths present in these biblical passages:
First, we must develop a sensitivity to recognize the needs of others around us. Often, we are so immersed in our own concerns and tasks that we do not notice the people beside us, needing a word of comfort, a gesture of kindness, or even practical help. Therefore, I challenge each of you to pay attention to the signs of need around you and to respond with compassion and generosity.
Second, we must cultivate a mindset of detachment from material things. This does not mean that we should despise the blessings that God grants us, but rather recognize that everything we have is a gift from Him and should be used for the good of others. When we understand that we are only stewards of the resources we receive, we can share with generosity, knowing that our true wealth lies in accumulating treasures in heaven.
Third, it is essential to strengthen our trust in God. Often, we place our hope in passing things, such as money, power, or success, and forget that only God can offer us lasting security. We must nurture a deep intimacy with the Lord, dedicating daily time to prayer, reading the Word of God, and participating in the sacraments. It is in this communion with the divine that we find the strength and confidence to face life’s difficulties with courage and hope.
Fourth, we must be willing to act according to our convictions. It is not enough to just hear the words of Jesus and agree with them intellectually. We must put into practice what we learn, even if it means going against the tide of society or facing difficulties. It is through our actions consistent with our faith that we witness the love and justice of God in the world.
Fifth, it is crucial to be open to encountering the other. Like the generous woman in the story, we must be willing to reach out and establish meaningful connections with the people around us. Often, it is in authentic relationships that we find opportunities to practice love and experience the presence of God. Therefore, I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone, to get involved in charitable works, and to make friendships with people different from you, recognizing the image of God in every human face.
Dear brothers and sisters, as we reflect on the story of the hurried young man, the elderly man, and the generous woman, we are challenged to examine our own attitudes and priorities. We are called to abandon indifference and selfishness, embracing a life of love and service to others. We are invited to trust fully in God, placing our hope in Him and not in the passing things of this world. And we are encouraged to live consistently with our convictions, bearing witness to the love of Christ in our daily actions.
May the example of the generous woman and the truths present in these biblical passages inspire us to be authentic disciples of Jesus Christ, radiating His love and grace in the world. May the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen us on this journey of faith, so that at the end of our lives, we may hear the words of the Lord: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34).
So be it. Amen.
