DAILY- HOMILY

MARCH 8, 2012
SAINT JOHN OF GOD
THURSDAY 2ND WEEK OF LENT – YEAR II

Jer 17:5-10 / Lk 16:19-31

JEREMIAH 17:5-10
This is what Yahweh says, "Cursed is the man who trusts in human
beings and depends on a mortal for his life, while his heart is drawn
away from Yahweh! He is like a bunch of thistles in dry land, in
parched desert places, in a salt land where no one lives and who never
finds happiness. Blessed is the man who puts his trust in Yahweh and
whose confidence is in him! He is like a tree planted by the water,
sending out its roots towards the stream. He has no fear when the heat
comes, his leaves are always green; the year of drought is no problem
and he can always bear fruit. Most deceitful is the heart. What is
there within man, who can understand him? I, Yahweh, search the heart
and penetrate the mind. I reward each one according to his ways and
the fruit of his deeds.

LUKE 16:19-31
Once there was a rich man who dressed in purple and fine linen and
feasted every day. At his gate lay Lazarus, a poor man covered with
sores, who longed to eat just the scraps falling from the rich man's
table. Even dogs used to come and lick his sores. It happened that the
poor man died, and angels carried him to take his place with Abraham.
The rich man also died, and was buried. From hell, where he was in
torment, the rich man looked up and saw Abraham afar off, and with him
Lazarus at rest. He called out, `Father Abraham, have pity on me, and
send Lazarus, with the tip of his finger dipped in water, to cool my
tongue, for I suffer so much in this fire.' Abraham replied, `My son,
remember that in your lifetime you were well-off, while the lot of
Lazarus was misfortune. Now he is in comfort, and you are in agony.
But that is not all. Between your place and ours a great chasm has
been fixed, so that no one can cross over from here to you, or from
your side to us.' The rich man implored once more, `Then I beg you,
Father Abraham, to send Lazarus to my father's house, where my five
brothers live. Let him warn them, so that they may not end up in this
place of torment.' Abraham replied, `They have Moses and the prophets.
Let them listen to them.' But the rich man said, `No, Father Abraham;
but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' Abraham
said, `If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will
not be convinced, even if someone rises from the dead.'"

REFLECTION
As Lazarus, poor and sick, stood by the gate, the rich man paid no
attention to him. The rich man was either ignorant or indifferent to
what was happening around him. And for this, he did not go to heaven.
Are ignorance and indifference such grave sins?

In this case, ignorance is not simply "not-knowing" but the refusal to
acknowledge realities other than our own. It is the lack of seeking-
the-truth which leads to the inability to respond to the needs of the
times. Indifference shows a total lack of compassion for others and a
disregard for one's responsibility toward them. Ignorance and
indifference are but manifestations of complacency rooted in self-
centeredness.

As we reflect upon Christ's passion, let us remember how he fought
against the ignorance of so-called believers and the indifference of
so-called spiritual leaders. Through his teachings, he gave us the
wisdom to discern what is right and through his life, he gave us the
courage to do what is right.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Tung-Jou Sheh
- Mike Heutmaker
- Kristen, Maria, Linda O, Mary Ann, Delores, Nick, Netta, Martha,
Maureen, & Jane
… for the personal intentions of
- Veronica Yap
- Dana, Eugene R, Rita & Pam & Ben
… for the eternal repose of the soul of Eliezer Billanes. Eternal rest
grant unto them and may perpetual light shine upon them. May they and
all the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Krissil Kay E. Cardenas
- In Memoriam (+): Francisco T. Ong, Sr.
… for families who are in need of healing
… for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers
and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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