THURSDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT - Gospel (Luke 16:19-31) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“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)

FIRST READING - Jer 17:5-10

A reading from the Book of Jeremiah

Thus says the LORD:

Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings,

who seeks his strength in flesh,

whose heart turns away from the LORD.

He is like a barren bush in the desert

that enjoys no change of season,

But stands in a lava waste,

a salt and empty earth.

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,

whose hope is the LORD.

He is like a tree planted beside the waters

that stretches out its roots to the stream:

It fears not the heat when it comes,

its leaves stay green;

In the year of drought it shows no distress,

but still bears fruit.

More tortuous than all else is the human heart,

beyond remedy; who can understand it?

I, the LORD, alone probe the mind

and test the heart,

To reward everyone according to his ways,

according to the merit of his deeds.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Lk 16:19-31

From the Gospel according to Luke

Jesus said to the Pharisees:

"There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen

and dined sumptuously each day.

And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,

who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps

that fell from the rich man's table.

Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.

When the poor man died,

he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.

The rich man also died and was buried,

and from the netherworld, where he was in torment,

he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off

and Lazarus at his side.

And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me.

Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue,

for I am suffering torment in these flames.'

Abraham replied, 'My child,

remember that you received what was good during your lifetime

while Lazarus likewise received what was bad;

but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.

Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established

to prevent anyone from crossing

who might wish to go from our side to yours

or from your side to ours.'

He said, 'Then I beg you, father, send him

to my father's house,

for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them,

lest they too come to this place of torment.'

But Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets.

Let them listen to them.'

He said, 'Oh no, father Abraham,

but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'

Then Abraham said,

'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,

neither will they be persuaded

if someone should rise from the dead.'"

THURSDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT - Gospel (Luke 16:19-31)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

In today's word of God, God reveals to humanity of Heaven and Hell. In Heaven, there is always love and mercy, but in Hell, there is always excruciating pain and everlasting fire. So, how can we get to Heaven?

In today's Gospel, Jesus tells everyone a parable of the rich man and poor Lazarus. The rich man had everything, lacking nothing: material possessions, money, talent, fame, and pleasure.

Meanwhile, Lazarus lived a life of poverty, and illness, and was covered in boils.

God revealed that all the material things people have are given by Him. The poor and the miserable are made in the image of God—they are people of God.

In the parable, God used the poor Lazarus to create an opportunity for the rich man to love and share, to live in charity with others, and to have the opportunity to atone for his sins in this world. But he did not do so. The devil covered his ears and eyes so that he could not see poor Lazarus beside him. Lazarus only wanted to eat the scraps that fell from his table.

He did not see that all the wealth and material things he had were given to him by God. Because of his selfishness, he did not know how to thank God, nor did he know how to listen to God's teachings to live a charitable and giving life.

Therefore, Satan became more and more rampant in him, they covered his conscience, covered his compassion for his fellow human beings, which God had given him when He created him. He did not see his sins and became more and more callous about them.

Satan took advantage of the rich man's lack of awareness and stole his soul. When he came before God's judgment seat, he realized his sins, but it was too late.

Through this parable, God warns those who are living like the rich man to have the courage to let go of everything and return to God.

Listen to His teachings and live with a spirit of charity. Love our fellow human beings, and help the poor, the sick, and those who are suffering, because they are the image of God—the gift God sends to us.

In human life, everyone must die, and everyone must appear before the Supreme Court of God to receive either rewards or punishment. God is very fair and infinitely just.

He will judge us according to our deeds, reward us with the Kingdom of Heaven, or punish us to purgatory or Hell.

So, while still living in this world, we still have the opportunity—so take it. Listen to the teachings of God through God’s good shepherds, the teachers of true faith, the angels, and the prophets sent by God to this world.

The image of the rich man and poor Lazarus in today's parable leaves those who are still living in this world with a lesson in distinguishing between good and evil.

To Listen to and put into practice the teachings of God while still living in this world so that when God calls us back to Him, we will not have to regret, not be in pain, nor have to answer before God for our wrongdoings.

Heaven and Hell are two places far apart, opposites of each other. In Heaven, we can live happily forever with our loving Father; in Hell, we live with Satan, in eternal suffering.

God always loves mankind, He has sent prophets—those He has chosen to call—to speak His Word, to awaken mankind, help us abandon the path of sin, and return to living lovingly according to His teachings. Therefore, we should listen to and put into practice God’s teachings, and be completely happy in the heart of God, who is the Father of all.

Thanks be to God. Amen.