PRI Reflections on Scripture | Thursday of the 2nd Week in Lent

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel
Luke 16:19-31

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.'"

Reflection

The scribes and Pharisees had to reexamine after listening to this story, what Jesus was really trying to get across. It seems clear that he was chipping away at a misunderstanding of life's sufferings. It seems like the Pharisees thought that if you were suffering, that was because you did something wrong and you were being punished. The truth is not that.

The truth is that we're here on this earth, to live and to love and to accept our condition. Whatever it is. And the God is not simply a God who doles out riches to people who do what they're told.

Closing Prayer

Father, nothing is more important, that we accept, embrace the life that you have given us. You have chosen it. You have guided it. You have empowered us to deal with whatever we need to deal with. And there is always the promise of peace, no matter what the circumstances are. Bless us with that kind of awareness and that gift of peace. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Kyle Cross