Martin Madalai Muthu csc –
Readings: Jer 17: 5-10; Lk 16: 19-31
In our first reading, prophet Jeremiah spoke of the curse against who followed the path of disobedience. The gospel passage presents before us Jesus’ famous parable of Lazarus and rich man. The Lord used this parable to show us that it is very easy for us to be tempted by riches and by the other pleasures of the world.
When reflect on this parable we must be careful not to think that the Lord condemns the rich. God loves all of us, regardless of our financial conditions or social status. The rich man lived in luxury and extravagance. He was too preoccupied with his own interests and pleasures; thus, he ignored the poor Lazarus lying at his gate. Like the rich man in the parable if we are attached to worldly things, we become vulnerable and yield to the temptations to be indifferent and selfish.
We often think of the sins we have committed in our lives. The sin committed by the rich man was the sin of omission, the sin of neglecting his fellow brother when he was visibly able to help him. And this is an important reminder for all of us in this season of Lent, that we should not neglect or ignore others, especially, the less fortunate. Let us all be true disciples of the Lord by being more faithful in obeying his will in responding to the most pressing needs of the Church and society.