March 5, 2015

Trust Only in God

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.

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 31, Issue 2

<< Thursday, March 5, 2015 >>

Jeremiah 17:5-10
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Psalm 1:1-4, 6

Luke 16:19-31
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HARD HEART, BURN

"If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if one should rise from the dead." —Luke 16:31

The human heart is so twisted and deceitful (Jer 17:9) that most of us, even in a world of instant communication, do not notice hundreds of millions of starving people at our doorsteps (see Lk 16:20). We have made our hearts so hardened that, even if someone were raised from the dead to warn us, we would not repent (Lk 16:31). If we ever change, it will be through God's Word — from Moses' Pentateuch to the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament (see Lk 16:31).

Jesus dramatically practiced what He preached in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. On the afternoon of the day in which He rose from the dead, He knew that His Resurrection would be only the beginning of opening humanity's hardened heart. So the risen Jesus spent the first resurrection afternoon and evening interpreting "every passage of Scripture which referred to Him" (Lk 24:27) and opening His disciples' "minds to the understanding of the Scriptures" (Lk 24:45).

At each Mass, the risen Christ continues to proclaim the Scriptures. Daily Mass is our best opportunity to let God change our hearts. Then we will love the poor and love the Lord. Expose your heart daily to God's Word proclaimed by the risen, eucharistic Lord.

Prayer: Father, may my heart burn and melt when I hear Your Word (see Lk 24:32).

Promise: "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." —Jer 17:7-8

Praise: The leaders of Brian's youth group regularly organize Confession and Eucharistic adoration "parties" for their members.