DAILY- HOMILY

March 5, 2015 THURSDAY, 2nd WEEK OF LENT

Violet

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

Reading: Jer 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.

Gospel: Lk 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, he 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 grave.'"

Reflection:

     In the first reading, we are told to trust in God and not to trust in man. Why should we not trust in man? Because all men are fallible, weak and incapable of giving us the help which only God can give. From God comes all graces. Man can give us support and help, but if we turn away from God and rely on human efforts alone, we will realize that they are not enough to solve serious problems.

     The Gospel reading is the story of the rich man and Lazarus. When they died, the rich man went to hell while Lazarus, who used to eat the scraps from the rich man's table, went up to heaven. All men will be judged after death on their actions done when they were still alive. A lifetime of suffering and goodness may be rewarded with an eternity of heavenly bliss. A lifetime of comfort and selfishness may be punished with everlasting torment. It is not enough to fear hell, but what we must do is to desire heaven. So let us devote ourselves to good works and religious devotion now while there is time. Let us welcome sufferings for love of God and strive to bring other men to the knowledge of God's heavenly kingdom.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY 

     ANNICA FAYE C. OBIAS

     FR. GUILLREY ANTHONY M. ANDAL, SJ

     JENNA ISABELA L. WONG

THANKSGIVING

     LCPI DIRECTORS, MANAGEMENT & STAFF & FAMILIES

OTHER INTENTIONS:

For the special thanksgiving & good health intentions of  Beny Chua.

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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